[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: The Athenian Aristocracy

http://agathe.gr/democracy/the_athenian_aristocracy.html

The Athenian Aristocracy Before democracy, from the 8th to the 6th century B.C., Athens was prosperous economically but no more significant than many other city-states in Greece. Silver deposits south ... Painted pottery and surviving fragments of poetry depict the aristocracy at play, usually reclining comfortably at a drinking party or symposion. Athenian (Attic) black-figure olpe Oug), 540-530 B.C. ... This fragmentary day jug shows a symposion with banqueters reclining on a couch, a typically aristocratic activity.

[Agora Webpage] Birth of Democracy: Women

http://agathe.gr/democracy/women.html

The Unenfranchised I - Women Numerous people resident in Athens and Attica had little part in the political life of the state. Most glaring by modern standards was the exclusion of women, although a similar ... The fragment shows the upper part of a nude woman, probably reclining on cushions at a symposion. She holds a castanet in her left hand and wears disk earrings.