The 7 Most Important Items Used in Daily Life in Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek; An ancient civilization that shaped the modern world with its philosophers, scientists, inventions, mythology and works of art. The daily life of the people who managed to build such an important civilization is also of great interest to us. Of course, as well as ordinary objects that people in ancient Greece used in their daily lives.

For example, mobile phones and computers are among the common but indispensable items of everyday life today. Similarly, ancient Greece had important but mundane items of daily life! So what were these items? Here are 7 household items that played a huge role in the life of the people of Ancient Greece.

How many people dedicate the most beautiful corner of their home to colorful wood or marble sculptures? If we asked this question to any person living in ancient Greece, the answer would be quite unexpected!

In modern times, we are accustomed to seeing sculptures in city squares, in art galleries or in the gardens of public institutions. But the houses and gardens of ordinary people who lived in Ancient Greece were decorated with many statues! Statues were common but important items in the daily life of the people of ancient Greek civilization.

Because he believed that at that time the statues were “protective” objects. Therefore, sculptures made of any material, be it marble or wood, were a very common element of ancient Greek life. The ancient Greeks, who wanted to cleanse themselves of evil spirits or energy, decorated their homes with statues of gods or goddesses in the appropriate area.

For example, the statue of Hermes, the patron god of travel and roads, was an integral part of many ancient Greek homes. The ancient Greeks (even on very short trips) did not leave their home without asking Hermes for protection. Those who managed to return home safely would not have entered without expressing their gratitude to this important god. In short, statues were among the most important everyday items in Ancient Greece…

2. Craters

Wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages today. But in ancient Greece, he had almost the status of “official drink”. Of course, the way wine was consumed, which had a big place in the life of the people of Ancient Greece, was also associated with certain rules. According to the people who lived at that time, drinking wine “dregs” was indecent. For this reason, they often mixed wine with water and drank it diluted. Wide-mouthed pots called “kraters” were used to mix wine and water, usually made of ceramic or bronze.

The fact that the wine culture in ancient Greece was highly developed made many factors associated with wine consumption important, especially craters. So much so that in the center of the “symposia” there were funnels where large-scale entertainment and banquets were held or political events were discussed. In the middle of the halls where the symposiums are held, there is a huge crater. A mixture of water and wine in this unusual pot was poured into ladles and served to guests.

Craters, on the other hand, were an important everyday item that could also be found in the homes of almost all ancient Greeks. Craters were also among the indispensable items for house parties and family gatherings. Although most ancient Greek houses had plain red pottery craters, the craters of wealthy families were decorated with images of various gods and goddesses.

3. Amphora

Among the objects that occupied a very important place in the daily life of Ancient Greece were thin-necked, wide-bodied and two-handled amphorae. These ancient Greek potteries were used to store, store, preserve, or serve almost any kind of food. For example, “one amphora of honey and two amphora of grain” were among the most frequently used phrases of a person shopping in any market.

4. Peplos and Heaton

“Dressing well” was extremely important in ancient Greece, just as it is today. However, the sense of fashion in ancient Greece was formed around two basic pieces of clothing that were similar to each other. Clothing derived from the tunic, called peplos and kiton, were clothes that people did not take off in everyday life. Very similar versions of these long garments, mostly made of wool, cotton or linen, were worn by both men and women.

5. Horse-drawn carts

Daily life in ancient Greece was also full of hardships. For this reason, people have been looking for ways to get away from the stress of everyday life and have fun. This is where the horse-drawn carts came in.

Because the most popular entertainment in the daily life of the ancient Greeks was chariot racing. For this reason, horse-drawn carts were probably one of the everyday items that any person living in ancient Greece would be happy to see …

6. Tripods

You may be surprised to learn that tripods were one of the most common items in the daily life of the ancient Greeks. Because tripods are objects that today are mainly used to stabilize cameras or camcorders. However, it was one of the important items used in ancient Greece in a similar way, but for a completely different purpose.

People who lived at that time believed that a happy life was possible only if the gods and goddesses were made happy. It was possible to make the gods and goddesses happy only by dedicating various offerings to them and presenting various types of food. An important part of these initiation rituals were large tripods made of iron or bronze.

Officials in ancient Greek temples would set up large cauldrons on tripods there, and the faithful people of ancient civilization would fill these large cauldrons with consumables such as grain, meat, or wine.

7. Animal bones

We know that animal bones have been an important material used in the manufacture of various items throughout history. However, no human society in history has given animal bones the importance that the ancient Greeks did.

In ancient Greece, games using animal bones and usually ankle bones were very popular, especially among children and the elderly. However, the bones of various animals were also used as divination tools. So much so that the happiest of these divination rituals that used animal bones was the “shot of Aphrodite”, where each of the bones took its position and foreshadowed that single women would soon find love.

Finally, animal bones were also very popular among young players in Ancient Greece. Dice were used as a type of dice in gambling. In other words, animal bones were one of the everyday items that occupied an important place in the life of almost every inhabitant of ancient Greece, whether man or woman, old or young.

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