In Ancient Greece, people were divided into different social classes, kind of like different levels in a video game. Here are the main classes, from highest to lowest:
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Citizens: This was the top class. Citizens were free men born in Athens or other city-states. They could own land, vote, and participate in government. They often had good jobs and were respected in society.
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Metics: Metics were people who lived in a city-state but were not born there. They usually came from other regions or countries. Metics could work and own businesses, but they couldn’t vote or own land like citizens. They had to pay taxes, but they still played an important role in the economy.
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Women: Women in Ancient Greece had different rights depending on the city-state. In most places, they were not considered citizens and couldn’t vote. Their job was often to take care of the home and family. Some women had a bit more freedom, especially in places like Sparta, where they could own property and be more active in society.
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Slaves: This was the lowest class. Slaves were people who had to work for others without getting paid. Some were captured in wars, while others might have fallen into slavery due to debt. Slaves could work in homes, farms, or businesses, and they had no rights at all.
Each class had its own jobs and roles, and they all worked together to make society function, but they were treated very differently!