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Ancient Greek household manager with his slave. Source: migfoto / Adobe Stock.

The Not-So-Romantic Truth About Life in Ancient Greece (Video)

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in ancient Greece? It's easy to romanticize the past, especially when it comes to a civilization that produced some of the most important philosophers, artists, and scientists in human history. But if you take a closer look, life in ancient Greece wasn't always so idyllic. Despite their democracy and philosophy, the Greeks were a fiercely competitive civilization who relied heavily on slaves and mercenaries to fight their battles.

If you were a farmer or a common worker, you could be forced to fight in a part-time militia, with little protection or training. And even if you were a free citizen, you could still end up a slave if you fell into debt. That’s not to mention the deadly plagues and diseases that killed thousands.  Or the medical treatments that could be worse than the ailment. In this article, we'll explore some of the harsh realities of life in ancient Greece, and why you probably wouldn't survive there for very long.

Top image: Ancient Greek household manager with his slave. Source: migfoto / Adobe Stock.

By Robbie Mitchell

 
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Robbie

I’m a graduate of History and Literature from The University of Manchester in England and a total history geek. Since a young age, I’ve been obsessed with history. The weirder the better. I spend my days working as a freelance... Read More

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