In ancient Greece, the central shopping area of a city was called the agora. A typical Greek city had a large open area where local merchants could set up displays and sell their products. In Athens, one could find a large variety of items from around the Mediterranean. There was linen from Egypt, ivory from North Africa, spices from Syria, and dates from Phoenicia. Merchants of similar goods had shops together in a specific area in the agora. The market was often crowded and tended to be noisy. Criers called out specials or announced when fresh fish arrived from the boats. Prices were rarely firm, so bargaining with the merchants was a common practice.
In Athens women shopped with a male relative or slave. Only very poor women would shop in the markets alone. Women from other city-states often found the Athenian customs restrictive and overprotective. The rich carried their money in purses, while the poor kept coins in their mouths.
Children Clothing Fashion Food Home Life Marriage
Men and Women's Roles Shopping Women
Marines in the Pacific During World War II Also New
Grad Degree in History |
|
Want to Study Abroad? |
Cultures - Time Periods
Prehistory | Africa
| China | Egypt
| Greece | Mesopotamian
| Roman
Aztec - Olmec
| Mayan | Native
American
Middle Ages | World
War II | Home
Site Map Privacy Policy Disclaimer Awards
Please see Pictures Galleries for Royalty Free images for Educational uses.
Copyright © 2000-2008, All Rights Reserved by Eric Rymer.
Contact Us: Suggest a Site or General Comments
Page Views Since January 2004