Ancient Greeks had a unique culture that praised leisure and emphasized the importance of free time and activities associated with it. The peculiarities of culture and mentality provided them with multiple options for self-development; nevertheless, there was a particular differentiation of society, meaning that representatives of various classes had different opportunities. Aristocracy, or wealthy people, lived as rentiers, spending all their free time in political debates, learning, and cultural pursuits. These activities comprised the bigger part of their daily life in Ancient Greece. Common and poor people were engaged in other activities as they had to farmland, work as craftsmen, or labor for others. However, regardless of these differences, all citizens were able to benefit from all opportunities existing in their polis as they were its members. Regarding non-Greeks, their abilities were limited as they were mainly considered slaves or workers that had to make their living working for other people.
Ancient Greek is also known for its specific attitude to women, which impacted their daily life at that period of time. In the course of the state’s development, this class acquired an opportunity to take part in multiple events and social life. For instance, in Sparta, many females became landowners or even athletes indicating that they had similar rights to males and spent time in the same ways. Moreover, the emergence of the sector of public works provided them with an opportunity to engage in nursing, wool-working, and other activities beneficial for society. Rich females preferred to spend time for their own pleasure, disputing, visiting cultural events, and communicating with other representatives of society.
However, it does not mean that equality was achieved in Ancient Greek society. On the contrary, there is an opinion that the behaviors and rules were severe, and representatives of different classes had to observe them. For instance, it was a mainly men’s world with a limited number of opportunities for women who had to stay at home and avoid political or other social issues. The critical difference in incomes also prevented the poor from participating in important decision-making and offered them only a limited number of opportunities for leisure. In such a way, there are different perspectives on the daily activities peculiar to people in Archaic Greece.