4.25 Ancient Greek Homes & Courtyards

The ancient Greeks had interesting homes! In this lesson, find out what materials were used to build Greek houses, and discover where men, women and children spent most of their time.

Greek Homes

Imagine living in a mud house! The ancient Greeks actually lived in homes made of sun-dried mud bricks. Unfortunately, their walls weren’t very strong. It was common for houses to crumble into pieces and most had to be rebuilt. The roofs of the homes were made of clay tiles and the windows were small and covered with wooden shutters. These houses were constructed to keep the Greeks warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Similar to today, poor Greek people lived in small homes, while wealthy Greeks lived in large ones. Large homes usually had a kitchen, several bedrooms, and a small room for bathing. They also had a room called a pastas, which open on one side, similar to a porch. The Greeks also had furniture just like we do today, including couches, tables and chairs. But believe it or not, there were no toilets! Instead, the Greeks used a chamber pot, which is a bowl kept in a bedroom to be used as a toilet. The chamber pot was emptied in the gutter or the street. Ew!

1. Main points:

Ancient Greeks lived in homes made of sun-dried mud bricks with clay tile roofs and small windows. The houses varied in size based on wealth, with larger homes having multiple rooms and a pastas. They had furniture similar to modern times but used chamber pots instead of toilets.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What were ancient Greek houses made of, and how were they designed?
• Socio-cultural Analysis: How did the size and structure of homes differ between poor and wealthy Greeks?
• Contextual Analysis: What kind of sanitation facilities did ancient Greeks use in their homes?

3. Further Discussion:

• How do you think living in these types of houses with limited sanitation facilities affected the daily lives and health of ancient Greeks?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "The ancient Greeks actually lived in homes made of sun-dried mud bricks… The roofs of the homes were made of clay tiles and the windows were small and covered with wooden shutters."
• Socio-cultural Analysis: "Poor Greek people lived in small homes, while wealthy Greeks lived in large ones… Large homes usually had a kitchen, several bedrooms, and a small room for bathing."
• Contextual Analysis: "There were no toilets! Instead, the Greeks used a chamber pot, which is a bowl kept in a bedroom to be used as a toilet."

The Greek Household

The home was very important to Greek family life. However, it was common for men and women to live in different parts of the house. A special room called the andron was used for men and their male guests. Men lounged on couches and were served an evening meal while they discussed things like politics. They would also recite poetry or riddles. There was even a separate door to the andron so men and women would not run into one another. Women had a special room too, usually located on the second floor, where they did weaving and spinning and took care of the children.

Many Greek families included the husband, wife, children, grandparents, and other female relatives who were not married. Wealthy families also had slaves who lived with them and worked in the fields and the home, or in workshops making sandals or jewelry.

1. Main points:

In ancient Greek homes, men and women often lived in separate areas. The andron was a space for men to socialize and discuss, while women had their own area for domestic tasks. Greek families typically included extended family members and, in wealthy households, slaves who assisted with various tasks.

2. Questions:

• Socio-cultural Analysis: How were living spaces in ancient Greek homes divided based on gender?
• Content Analysis: What activities took place in the andron?
• Contextual Analysis: Who typically lived in a Greek household, and what roles did slaves play?

3. Further Discussion:

• How do you think the separation of living spaces based on gender affected family dynamics and relationships in ancient Greece?

4. Answers:

• Socio-cultural Analysis: "It was common for men and women to live in different parts of the house. A special room called the andron was used for men and their male guests… Women had a special room too, usually located on the second floor."
• Content Analysis: "Men lounged on couches and were served an evening meal while they discussed things like politics. They would also recite poetry or riddles."
• Contextual Analysis: "Many Greek families included the husband, wife, children, grandparents, and other female relatives who were not married. Wealthy families also had slaves who lived with them and worked in the fields and the home, or in workshops making sandals or jewelry."

The Courtyard

Do you enjoy playing outside in your yard or at a park? Greek families spent a great amount of time in their courtyard, which was an outdoor space located in the center of the home and open to the sky. The courtyard was the perfect place for children to play safely. It was also an important area for women, because they were rarely allowed to leave the home by themselves. The courtyard offered fresh air and opportunities to talk. Women and daughters would sew, cook, and tell stories. Many families had an altar honoring the Greek Goddess, Hestia, who was the goddess of hearth and home.

1. Main points:

Greek families frequently used their courtyard, an outdoor space in the center of the home, for various activities, including children’s play and women’s tasks. The courtyard served as a safe and social area for women, and many households had altars dedicated to the goddess Hestia.

2. Questions:

• Socio-cultural Analysis: How did the courtyard play a role in the lives of Greek families, particularly for women and children?
• Contextual Analysis: What was the significance of altars dedicated to the goddess Hestia in Greek households?

3. Further Discussion:

• How do you think the courtyard contributed to family bonding and daily life in ancient Greek households?

4. Answers:

• Socio-cultural Analysis: "The courtyard was the perfect place for children to play safely. It was also an important area for women, because they were rarely allowed to leave the home by themselves… Women and daughters would sew, cook, and tell stories."
• Contextual Analysis: "Many families had an altar honoring the Greek Goddess, Hestia, who was the goddess of hearth and home."

Lesson Summary

Ancient Greek homes were usually made of sun-dried mud bricks and had different numbers of rooms depending on how wealthy the family was. Men had special rooms called androns, where they entertained male guests. Women and children enjoyed the private courtyard, a space in the center of the home open to the sky, which was located beside the pastas, a room open on one side like a porch.