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Craftsmen
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The Greeks were skilled craftsmen. Their pottery and sculpture are amongst the finest ever made. The Greeks learned many of their skills from the east but they always developed their own styles. Craftsmen were proud of their work and would often sign it with their own names.
Most Greek craftsmen had their own workshop with perhaps one or two slaves to help them. Tools were very simple and everything had to be made by hand. Each type of craft had its own corner of a city. For example, 200 potters and painters worked together in the same area of Athens.
The god of craftsmen, particularly those using fire, was Hephestus. He had a fine temple in Athens overlooking the blacksmiths’ workshop.
(A) Iron Workers
Iron was the most common metal. It was used to make weapons and simple tools for farm work. It was melted in a furnace so it could be hammered into shape.
(B) Armorer
Helmets were hammered out of one sheet of bronze. A leather cap was fitted inside. Great skill was needed to make a helmet fit well.
(C) Shoemaker
Shoes were cut out of leather. Shoemaking was one of the least respected crafts.
(D) Sculptor
The Greek sculptors were brilliant at creating lifelike figures and reliefs. It might take six months to carve a single statue.
Potter
Athenian pots were the best in the world. They were usually decorated with pictures of heroes and their adventures.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Greeks
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Section:
Spotlight on Ancient Greeks
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Chapter:
Craftsmen
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