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Ancient Greece : Everyday Life Essay

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In Robert Garland’s book, Ancient Greece: Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Civilization, he illustrates what life was like for men, women, children, and slaves living in ancient Greece and the impact it had on modern civilization. Each city state of ancient Greece had their own rituals and beliefs that influenced everything from warfare to raising children. The question is, were these rituals and beliefs made up for the benefit of the state? Males and females had their own individual roles in serving the city state. There were rituals and beliefs specifically for children and their transition into adulthood. Greek children were raised and educated to be able to fulfill their roles to benefit the state. Pregnancy and birth were very symbolic in ancient Greece. Mothers birthed the baby with only the assistance of a midwife. Male physicians rarely helped unless it was necessary for the mother’s health. Mother’s saw this as shameful, because a women’s main purpose was to produce healthy babies. Religion was even involved during the birthing process. Women prayed to the gods, Eileithyia and Artemis for safe deliveries. Women did not have the proper sanitary measures and medicines available, under those circumstances the death rate was very high for mothers. Every mother desired to have a son. The beliefs and rituals of ancient Greece led its inhabitants to believe that sons were more capable than daughters. If a women had a son, an olive branch was hung on the

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