Greece's social structure
Greek society
was divided mainly between free people and slaves, slaves owned by free people.
Slaves were used as servants and for unpaid labor, unable to hold social or
legal rights. Slaves could be prisoners of war or bought from foreign traders
from many varying countries. They often lived close to their owners, but not
many were skilled craftsmen, and few were even paid. Slaves worked with their
owners in their craft, if not for them for common labor, and some were educated.
Free men were divided between Citizens and Metics. A citizen was born with Grecian family and was the most powerful and largest group that could participate in government affairs of the polis or city-state of citizenship. After service in the army they were expected to be government officials or authorities. A metic was of foreign origin, and had migrated to Greece, to either trade or practice a skilled craft. Metics were usually forced to pay taxes and occasionally required to serve in the army, but they would never receive full rights as a Grecian citizen; and couldn’t own houses or land or speak in court. These social classes applied to men only, as women all took social and legal status from their husband or a male partner. Women in ancient Greece were not allowed to be a part of public life.
Free men were divided between Citizens and Metics. A citizen was born with Grecian family and was the most powerful and largest group that could participate in government affairs of the polis or city-state of citizenship. After service in the army they were expected to be government officials or authorities. A metic was of foreign origin, and had migrated to Greece, to either trade or practice a skilled craft. Metics were usually forced to pay taxes and occasionally required to serve in the army, but they would never receive full rights as a Grecian citizen; and couldn’t own houses or land or speak in court. These social classes applied to men only, as women all took social and legal status from their husband or a male partner. Women in ancient Greece were not allowed to be a part of public life.