Ancient Corinth is strategically located 10 km SW of the Isthmus of Corinth and has reputation as the Greek city most noted for luxury, vice, and decadence. The original Corinth, founded in the 10th Century BCE, had been the richest port and the largest city in ancient Greece. Strategically located guarding the narrow isthmus that connects the Peloponnesus (as southern Greece is called) to the mainland, it was a powerful commercial center near two seaports only 4 miles apart. Lechaeum, the western harbor in the Corinthian Gulf was the trading port to Italy and Sicily, and Cenchreae, the eastern harbor in the Saronic Gulf, was the port for the eastern Mediterranean countries.

In the 5th century BC, Corinth was a wealthy city with a reputation for luxury and vice, including a Temple of Aphrodite with more than 1000 sacred prostitutes in the temple of Aphrodite on the Acrocorinth, an 1886-foot hill that rises above the city to the south. Recent scholars point out, however, that the charge was more likely an Athenian slander against the pre-146 BCE city since sacred prostitution was a Middle East custom, not a Greek one. No doubt Corinth, like other large port cities, had plenty of prostitutes to service the sailors, but they were not sacred.

Ancient Greek homes were built around a courtyard; ancient wealthy Greek homes would actually have two courtyards - one for the men, and one for the women. Guests entering a Greek home would first find themselves in a large colonnaded courtyard known as the Andronitis, or Courtyard of the Men. This is where the family spent most of its time, and only when guests appeared would the women disappear to their own quarters. In fine weather, the women of the family would spin, weave and sew here, listening to the men discussing the latest ideas gleaned from the Agora.

In summer, the family would eat in the andronitis, and would gather to tell and listen to stories in the evenings. In the center a small shrine to Zeus was normally found. Around this courtyard would be small, dark chambers used for storage, or sleeping quarters for slaves and sons of the house.

Leading from the andronitis was the andron, or men's dining room. This is where male guests were entertained to symposia - dinner parties and convivial evenings companionably spent over an amphora or two of wine. Women were strictly excluded from these festivities. The andron was likely to be the most elaborate room in the house, often having a mosaic floor and luxurious decor.

Male guests to houses in ancient Greece were allowed no further than the andron; beyond this were the women's quarters. The Gynæconitis, or Hall of the Women, was a second colonnaded courtyard, with its own set of rooms leading from it. These would include the kitchen, possibly a bathroom, more storage rooms, and small sleeping chambers for the female slaves.

Also leading from this, or possibly on a second storey, would be the thalamos - the master bedroom belonging to the master and mistress of the house. Some houses contained a second large bedroom, known as the ante-thalamos, for the daughters of the house. The most precious possessions and ornaments of the family, as well as the best furniture, would be kept in the thalamos.

Often large families included the parents and children, grandparents, unwed female relatives, and slaves all under the same roof.

The Greeks ate three meals each day. Breakfast was eaten at sunrise. They ate a small midday meal and a late afternoon snack. The main meal was eaten at the end of the day.

The soil was poor along the coast. With irrigation and crop rotation the Greeks were able to raise some crops. The soil was more rich in the plains. In the plain regions the Greeks were able to raise wheat and barley. Greeks made a large variety of breads including milk bread, rye bread, wheaten bread, farmhouse bread, brown bread, braided bread, and square bread. Because wheat could only be raised on the plains, there was not enough to feed all the people in Greece.

Greeks grew olives, grapes, and figs. Other fruits that were eaten were apples, prunes, apricots, cherries, and dates. These fruits were often baked into cakes and pies which were sweeten with honey. In their gardens they raised peas, navy beans, and lentils. Green vegetables were rare and very expensive. The Greeks cultivated mushrooms beginning in the fifth century B. C. They kept goats for milk and cheese. Some kept chickens for their eggs. Many foods were cooked in olive oil.

Greeks usually drank water. Some drank goats' milk. Another drink was made with fermented honey. Homemade wine was very popular with the rich. It was thick and heavy and had to be diluted with water.

Meat was rarely eaten. It was mostly used for religious sacrifices. Greece had a lot of wild game to hunt. Hunters found pheasant, partridge, quail, and wild guinea hens. They also hunted wild boars, bear, deer, foxes, weasels, hares, moles, cats, porcupines, and hedgehogs. Greeks ate a lot of fish and seafood. Fishermen caught gilt-heads, mullets, turbot, and tuna.

Ancient Greeks didn't use napkins. Instead they wiped their hands on pieces of bread which were given to the dogs. They ate stew and porridge with spoons. They cut their meat with knives. No forks were used. Meals were served on plates made from wood, clay, or metal.

Agora (marketplace) The marketplace was for men. Young boys and women were not allowed to come until the afternoon. This large space of about 100 by 200 meters held barbershops, bathhouses, perfume vendors, drinking establishments, and brothels.

Gymnasia (gym) The gymnasia was a large exercise yard surrounded by changing rooms, practice rooms, and baths. The Greeks wanted healthy bodies. Due to this they spent a good portion of each day exercising in the gym. Wrestling, boxing, and javelin and discus throwing were enjoyed sports. Athletes wore no clothes while exercising. They oiled or dusted their bodies before and after exercising.

Classes of People.

Freemen - divided into classes.

Lowest class were the thetes (urban craftsmen).

Middle ranks - small farmers.

Top - aristocrats who owned large estates.

Many occupations fell between these classes.

Metics - free non-citizens - Metics were usually Greeks from other city-states. They worked in low paying jobs.

Slaves

Highest Level - some worked as tutors and police officials.

Middle Level - domestic slaves - often considered one of the family.

Lowest slave worked in the mines.