"LIFE IN ANCIENT ATHENS"

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10293, 22 July 1911, Page 5

"LIFE IN ANCIENT ATHENS"

LECTURE BY MR W. GRAY, M.A. Mr W. Gray, M.A., 8.50., Principal of the Training College in Wellington, delivered an interesting address in Rnorc Hall, Master-ton, last night, on "Life in Ancient Athens." The Rev. A. T. Thompson presided orar a very good attendance. Mr -Gray commenced by illustrating the smallness of Attica, the portion of Greece in which Athena- is situated. Attica measured about 50 miles by 40 aniles, and could be v placed in the Wairarapa without any difficulty. That portion of Greece was favoured -with a wprm climate, and just as much rain a® was necessary. The ancient nation was known for its statuary and art, and industries had been developed to a very high degree. The lecturer illustrated by lantern islides the immense success of the pottery and fruit industries. Interesting descriptions were given of the dress of the Athenians and the artistic folds- in which the loose garments were thrown aibout their persons. The garments) were beautifully woven. The Grecian woman's place was in the home, and she was ■expected to be able to weave all the clothing necessary for the family. Blacfcsmithing and bronze work were also great industries in the days gone Iby. These facts went to remove the idea that (the people in Athens' spent all their time in connection with the temple®, and in worship. The people paid very little attention to the structure of itlhedr homes, compared with the pulblic institutions. Mr" described the athletic games, for which beautiful gymnasium buildings were used: The object was to produce a .sound Ibody, to enshrine a good soul. The youth wear© taught (to ha.ve perfect control of their minds, and were trained in physical endurance. On five consecutive days every year a great festival was held in a hug© theatre, /the tiers of seats in which 'were hewn from the sid?s of the hills. Athletic and acting competitions were held. Prizes were awarded to the playwright, the actors in the successful piece, and io the public-spirited citizen who supplied the chorus of young men. In the primitive stages of these festivals there was nothing but dancing round the altar. This was succeeded by acting, and later still the acting was augmented by talking. It was from this beginning that many writers got their inspirations. From this Mr Gray, went' on. to explain the Temple ;Wors|iip i?f these people 2000 years ago. They had a. high "sense of duty !|p their gods.lfuthe'r homes, .tributes were paid to, the family god almost every hour of the day. The glory of this. great nation, said the lecturer, had departed; and* it was not possible that Greek national life would ever rise again to any extent. In those early days the Greeks were certainly imitators, but the lecturer thought that they were more in the nature of creators.

On the, motion of Mr J. McGregor, seconded Jby Mr A. Donald, the lecturer was accorded a hearty vote 'if thanks.