Abstract
This paper discusses ancient Greece and Rome, noting first that the two major city-states in ancient Greece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The writer notes that the ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The writer further points out that the city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself.

From the Paper
"The two major city-states in ancient Greece were Athens and Sparta, and these two cities had different social systems and concentrated on perfecting different aspects of life. The ancient Greeks developed a social system that reflected their geography and climate. The city-state was the name given to the early kingdoms built around a small city, with the largest political unit being the city itself. In time, city-states would join together to form larger political units, creating larger kingdoms and eventually empires stretching across much of a continent or other large area. For the Greeks, the city-state was the basic political unit, and the major ones were Athens and Sparta. The leadership in Athens was democratic, while that in Sparta was based more on strong military leaders."

Tags:greece, rome, ancient

Abstract
This paper argues that financial and other practical factors as opposed to supernatural factors shaped the practice of abandoning infants in the real world of ancient Greece and Rome .

From the Paper
"To the modern reader the story of how the infant Oedipus was exposed to die on a hillside at his father's insistence is appalling. While it can be argued that the problem of child abuse and abandonment is still very much ..."

Tags:child exposure/abandonment, Greece, Rome, Oedipus, Ion

Abstract
This paper explains that the limited information about women's lives in Ancient Greece comes mainly from the poems, plays and illustrations depicting women, which were written by men because few women were literate. The author points out that, while women were excluded from many religious rites outside the home, archaeological and literary evidence indicates that there were several festivals and ceremonies, which were exclusively for the women. The paper concludes that, although the women of Ancient Greece were marginalized and had no real voice in society, they most certainly did have a great influence on the men as witnesses by the belief of men that, if the men interfered with the Thesmophoria festival, the harvest would be bad. The paper includes images of ancient Greek art depicting women.

From the Paper
"Religion in Ancient Greece was very important, although not in the way we now know religion. In Ancient Greece, religion was not presided over by theologians, priests or prophets, as most modern religions are, but rather by the artists, poets and philosophers of the time, according to Hamilton however, define is perhaps the wrong word to use, instead they "express[ed] or suggest[ed] it". The goal of religion was not to achieve a pleasant afterlife, the Greeks believed that the underworld (Hades) was a place of unhappiness, but rather to achieve "Excellence" in this life."

Tags:athens, seeds, separate, men, aristophanes

Abstract
This paper states that sexual roles were very different in ancient Greece as compared to today. The author points out that the differences between sexuality and gender were even more distinct back in ancient Greece. The paper relates that Odysseus, as he makes his travels through "The Odyssey", frequently pushes the limits of his gender role as presented in chapters 9 and 22.

From the Paper
"Sexual roles were very different in ancient Greece, compared to those roles today. In fact, the differences between "sexuality" and "gender" were even more distinct back in ancient Greece. Just as in the modern world, sexual activity had certain strictures and gender roles had well-defined limits. All of these roles with their strictures and limits appeared in the literature of the time. Odysseus, as he makes his travels through The Odyssey, frequently pushes the limits of his gender role. This paper will discuss how he does so both in Chapter 9 and how he resolves this issue in Chapter 22. Over the centuries, men have traditionally been expected to behave "as men." Traditionally, they have taken on the role of family guardian and provider, of warrior and politician. Women have traditionally been the nurturers and caregivers, both soothing and passive."

Tags:gender, roles, odyssey

Abstract
The paper examines slavery in ancient Greece as a whole; the types of slave, their roles in society, their treatment and attitudes of Greeks towards them. It then proceeds to focus upon the ethical implications of such a practice, whether it was necessary for the society and the irony of the freedom of democracy existing alongside the existence of servitude in one society.

From the Paper
"Being divided into many different city-states, Greece as a whole contained a variety of social structures and therefore a range of positions occupied by slaves. In Athens, there were four principle classes above that of a slave, ranging from the "Pentacosiomedimni", the highest class, to the "Thetes", the lowest, and the only one of the four not allowed to serve in the highest offices of society1. This means that there was a very small lower class and therefore slavery held great importance within society. These social groups were established on the basis of income, thus many of the menial tasks, such as mining, were occupied by slaves. However, these positions were also held by free men, and slaves could even occupy places as civil servants2. The status of slaves as being flexible parts of society is enhanced by the fact that "they cannot be distinguished in public from an ordinary man by their dress or appearance"3, showing their prosperity, particularly city-slaves, and their ability to interchange occupations with free men. The distinct lack of slave revolts at the turn of the fourth century BC demonstrates the tolerability of life for slaves at that time, emphasising their success. This shows that the treatment of slaves may have led to the belief among the perpetrators that an evil was not being committed."

Tags:democracy, freedom

Abstract
This paper discusses the roles of women in Ancient Greece, highlighting their separate and inferior status in a male-oriented society. It outlines womens' roles in the home, their political and social rights, and their status as sexual beings. Mens' social standing as a reflection of their marital status is raised.

From the Paper
"The women of Ancient Greece lived through a period of critical oppression, which would last several centuries. They were completely inferior and separated from a male society. Women were confined to the homes and restricted against free movement in the streets. Their duties were to bear children and attend to household affairs."

Tags:status, home, Greek, children, segregation

Abstract
This analysis uses Homer's "The Odyssey" and Virgil's "The Aeneid" to demonstrate the differences in gender roles between men and women in Ancient Greece and Rome. These roles are compared to gender roles of women in more modern times, with examples from "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights" used to show how rigid notions of gender roles still continue to undermine the value of women in modern society.

From the Paper
""Gender roles in Ancient Greece and Rome are well illustrated in famous literary works of the era. In Homer's "The Odyssey" we are provided with numerous examples of gender roles in Ancient Greece. In Virgil's "The Aeneid" we are provided with multiple examples of gender roles in Ancient Rome. In both works, women are portrayed as wives and mothers first and any other role takes a secondary importance. Though there are many types of women and roles portrayed in..."

Tags:marriage, love, sacrifice, state, loyalty, beauty, expression, identity, independence, equality, culture, socio-economics

Abstract
This paper looks at how the free thinking caused many accusations against Sophists for atheism, the highest level of heresy in the ancient society, a social order in which every unusual thing that happened was defined as a sign, omen, or warning from the gods.

From the Paper
"The Ancient Athens, unlike any other city in Greece, gave to its citizen's the freedom, unrivaled by any other social order in the Ancient society. Every male citizen of Athens was equal by right, but the difference between the poor and the rich remained unchanged. One of the main distinctions that democratic structure of government provided, was significantly reducing risk of political take over by force. To take the power, during democracy in the Athens, first you had to deal with practically whole population of the Athens. Military take over, was no longer an option, now the power had to be obtained by the different means. The answer to this, was the art of sophism, the direct definition of which is power through the persuasion."

Tags:persecuted, philosophers, think, atheist, god

Abstract
This paper examines how the ancient Greeks determined who would win the pentathlon, a competition of professional athletes who participated in numerous sporting events in Olympia. The author discusses the Olympiad Games, who was allowed to participate, particular events-javelin, discus, wrestling, etc., festivities, and awards presented to victors.

From the Paper
"An event that was intended to show all-round development was the pentathlon. Five events were included in this activity. They were running, long jumping, discus throw, javelin throw, and wrestling. The exact order of events and the precise method of determining a winner are not known. Wrestling is believed to have been the last event and may have decided the winner of the pentathlon if a participant did not have a clear advantage in the first four events. Historians have somewhat been able, with some degree of certainty, to determine how the winner of the pentathlon was actually decided. If a point system had been employed, as in our modern games, there would be no difficulty in crowning a champion; however, no evidence has been produced to support a point system in the Greek pentathlon. With the absence of such a scoring system, we are able only to present some theories and assumptions about the Greek pentathlon."

Tags:emperor, antioch, slaves, hellenistic, demeter, games, discus

Abstract
The paper describes the magnificence of the Ancient Greek culture, including the architectural, intellectual, and political development of that great civilization. The countless achievements of the Greeks and their influence on Western civilizations are discussed.

From the Paper
"Many are the reasons that helped Ancient Greece become what it was during the Golden Age. Located on the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, Greece managed to take the best of all cultures that passed through its territories and was influenced by cultures as far away as Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia and others. These influences, combined with the rich Mycenaean and Minoan heritage along with a good political system helped Ancient Greece in reaching the Golden Age."

Tags:athens, civilization, greek