He needed to ensure his wife was running the domestic affairs/finances effectively
Speak to the paidagogos about his son's progress.
Slaves would have to be bought from the slave market.
He was the main representative of the family at weddings, funerals, festivals etc.
His image would improve if he had a successful symposium for friends and associates.
The kyrios would also have to be the role model for the family - especially his sons.
As a male citizen, the kyrios would be involved in running the city.
If a man was wealthy he wouldn't have to work so much and would be able to attend meetings, debates and votes.
Athenians who had to work hard were often looked down upon because it ruined them both mentally and physically according to Xenophon.
Social and political life was important so if a man was not at work he was likely to be found socialising in public places.
However, most citizens had to work to some extent to provide for their families.
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Farming
A large number of citizens were farmers who owned small estates outside the city.
These estates ere a crucial part of providing self-sufficiency for the oikos.
Most important crop was the olive as believed the olive tree was a sacred gift from Athena.
Used: cooking, lighting lamps, preserving food, making perfumes/medicines, washing body.
Some olive trees protected by law and anyone found guilty of digging one up could die.
Olive oil was highly prized and families would store it in large pottery jars.
Important fruits: grapes, apples, pears, figs, pomegranates and grain: barley, rye, wheat.
Some estates reared animals: cattle, sheep, and goats providing meat, dairy products and wool.
Beekeeping was important as honey was the main way of sweetening food and drinks.
Fertile land was sun-drenched and close to the large market in the city.
It was close to the harbour which meant it was a good location for importing/exporting goods.
There was a threat of drought as the soil was thin on the mountainous ground and goods often harmed the crops.
Athenians got many foods from oversees.
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Crafts And Trades
The majority of Athenians were employed in trade/craft.
There was a myriad of smaller businesses which used stalls/workshops and worked as bronze-smiths, potters, tanners, shoemakers, bath-attendants, corn-merchants, lyre-shapers and shield-makers.
Most workshops and shops were rooms hired out at the front of private houses where just a handful of people could work.
The largest known factory employed 120 slaves to make armour.
But workshops were usually smaller with 20-30 employees.
One of the problems they faced was that charcoal fuel was used for furnaces so high temperatures could not be achieved so the metal was impure and brittle.
Main trading point was the market place (agora).
Nearby was the kerameikos (pottery area).
Athens was famed for the quality of its pottery.
Athenians used pottery for: storing food/drink, ornaments, votive offerings to gods, ceremonies, and prizes.
Pottery was one of Athens main exports along with silver, oil and wine.
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