History Ancient Greece Questions
The social structure of Ancient Greek society was divided into three main classes: the citizens, the metics, and the slaves.
1. Citizens: The citizens were the highest class in Ancient Greek society and had full political rights. They were free-born adult males who were born in the city-state (polis) and had Athenian parents. Citizens had the right to participate in the political life of the city-state, including voting in the assembly and holding public office. They also had the responsibility to serve in the military when needed. Women, children, and foreigners were not considered citizens.
2. Metics: The metics were foreigners who lived in the city-state but were not citizens. They were usually merchants, artisans, or skilled workers who migrated to the city-state for economic opportunities. Although they did not have political rights, metics were allowed to own property, engage in trade, and contribute to the economy. They were required to pay taxes and serve in the military if necessary.
3. Slaves: Slavery was an integral part of Ancient Greek society. Slaves were considered property and had no rights or freedoms. They were owned by citizens and metics and were used for various tasks, including domestic work, agriculture, and mining. Slaves had no social status and were completely dependent on their owners for their livelihood.
Overall, the social structure of Ancient Greek society was hierarchical, with citizens at the top, followed by metics, and slaves at the bottom. Citizenship played a crucial role in determining one's rights and privileges within the society.