Ancient Education: Models, Philosophies, and Evolution

Ancient Education: A Comparative Study

Greek Educational Models

Athens

During the Homeric period, physical prowess was highly valued. The Golden Age shifted the focus to cultivating good citizens. Sophists emerged, emphasizing rhetoric and mayeutics. Mayeutics, a method of systematic questioning, aimed to guide individuals towards truth and understanding.

• Assumption: The questioner assumes the person being questioned does not know.
• Process: Systematic questioning leads to definition and conclusion.

Women's education was primarily domestic, overseen by mothers or male family educators.

Physical education included activities like wrestling, running, discus throwing, and javelin throwing.

Sparta

In Sparta, the state controlled the educational process, prioritizing military training. From a young age, citizens were prepared for military service. The paidonomos, a state-appointed official, oversaw the instruction of children.

Roman Education

Early Roman Education (2nd Century Onwards)

With Roman expansion and the growth of cities, education became increasingly public. The state played a larger role, with mothers initially responsible for early education. At age 7, boys entered public schools focusing on literacy, military skills, law, and land cultivation. Fathers accompanied their sons in civic life. From 16-17, boys underwent military training.

Emergence of Christianity (2nd Century AD)

The rise of Christianity influenced Roman education. Three levels of education emerged within the urbanizing civitas:

• Primary Level (7-11 years): Free for all Roman citizen boys, with longer hours during summer months. Pedagogues, often slaves, supervised students. The curriculum emphasized basic literacy, using memorization and corporal punishment.
• Secondary Level (11-16 years): Reserved for patricians, focusing on preparing future state officials. Subjects included reading, writing, philosophy, and military training.
• Higher Education (17+ years): Designed for patrician nobles, preparing them for political careers (cursus honorum). The curriculum emphasized oratory, declamation, and grammar.