Education Boys went to school between the ages of seven and fifteen. All citizens were expected to send their sons to school, but as fees were charged, poor boys propably did not stay very long. A boy from a wealthy family was taken to school by a slave called the pedagogue, who would stay during the lessons, possibly helping to keep order in the classroom. Schools taught reading, writing and sums, music, poetry, sport and gymnastics.

Girls were taught at home by their mothers. They learnt the skills needed to run a home, such as cooking, spinning and weaving. Children read the works of great authors and poets, such as Homer and learnt poetry by heart. In music lessons they were taught to sing and dance and to play the lyre and the pipes. Athletics played an important role in a a boy's education, especially after the age of 14. At 18 a boy was a full citizen. He then became an ephebe, which meant doing two years military service. Although there were no universities, men like the philosopher Plato set up schools of further education. Teachers called sophists taught young men how to present arguments.

 

Education Boys went to school between the ages of seven and fifteen. All citizens were expected to send their sons to school, but as fees were charged, poor boys propably did not stay very long. A boy from a wealthy family was taken to school by a slave called the pedagogue, who would stay during the lessons, possibly helping to keep order in the classroom. Schools taught reading, writing and sums, music, poetry, sport and gymnastics.

Girls were taught at home by their mothers. They learnt the skills needed to run a home, such as cooking, spinning and weaving. Children read the works of great authors and poets, such as Homer and learnt poetry by heart. In music lessons they were taught to sing and dance and to play the lyre and the pipes. Athletics played an important role in a a boy's education, especially after the age of 14. At 18 a boy was a full citizen. He then became an ephebe, which meant doing two years military service. Although there were no universities, men like the philosopher Plato set up schools of further education. Teachers called sophists taught young men how to present arguments.