The school system in the classical Athens

The school in the ancient Athens worked on values totally different than those that are dealt with in today’s schools. The learning of musical instruments was very important. Apart from this, students learnt to read and write, and were trained in sports and war. Schools were also attended by rich boys. Girls stayed at home and probably never would learn to read and write.

School was not obligatory and was open to boys between 7 and 11 years old, who had to pay for their education. They read and learnt many poems from Homer and Hesiod, and there were language and oratory lessons for those who wanted to continue with their studies to become politicians. At 18 they had then two years of obligatory military service. After this they were already seen as proper men.