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The everyday lives of the Greeks are healthy ones. Living in an area of Europe with good climate, lots of sun and decent rainfall - not to mention salty sea air and nautical access to resources or lands from afar, Greece is the centre of our roleplay world for good reason. Its people grow up with good Vitamin D exposure, organic foods and a healthy and fit way of life as most tasks are required to be done manually. The Grecian people are, therefore, often fit, beautiful, freckled or tanned from the sun and have clear skin from their diet and salt water surroundings. As a people, they are highly thankful and exceptionally superstitious in regards to the Gods. They believe themselves to have been gifted with beautiful lands, people and fortune and are therefore - in every way - terrified of such benefaction being taken away. The Greeks believe strongly in the Poly-Grecian faith - specifically the Olympians - and their entire world revolves around living the life both their Gods and family will approve of.

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The Greeks operate heavily on the concepts of honour and dignity. Reputation is incredibly important and image is everything. Family name and loyalties trump all other associations (barring marital spouses) and everything is done with an analysis on how actions, words and behaviours would be seen through the eyes of others. In this way, the Greeks can be a very intuitive people; able to read others with accuracy and detail. What they are less skilled in is understanding personal feelings or emotional drives. Many would consider them to be arrogant or repressed.

Due to the above mentality, the private life of the Greeks is exactly that; private. What happens behind closed doors in a household is entirely the business of that family. Crime can only ever happen outside of the home. The flipside of this, of course, is that the Greeks crave the gossip and rumour of other people's personal lives; especially if it will afford them informatiom able to be used as leverage against business rivals or political foes. For what could be more effective as a tool of blackmail upon a Greek than private information that could damage their reputation or family name? As such, the roles of servants and slaves within a household - especially a powerful one - are incredibly important positions that rarely become vacant. Servants and slaves tend to stay with their owners their entire lives, protecting their privacy and secrets to the grave. To take on a new such member without them being born and raised within the House is a potentially dangerous venture.

Both genders are treated with equal value and respect in the Grecian kingdoms but they each have different expectations and responsibilities, with very firm gender roles. It is strongly believed that men have a stronger physical body, while women have the divine gift of procreation. Men are expected to be protectors, fighters and providers, while women are the moral educators of the children and the emotional guides of the homestead. Women are banned from the military, while men are forbidden to make changes or decisions in how the home is run. There are also different beliefs in how men and women should behave sexually.
Age of Consent
Age of consent for girls is thirteen.
There is no age of consent restriction for boys.
Aeipathy Note: Please note that we do not permit that active roleplaying of any sexual intercourse between characters under the age of fifteen.

Salt-water is aplenty around the Greek islands but non-salt water is less so. From specific wells and springs, drinking water is considered sacred and many temples are built around the natural sources. As such, only the priesthood and the upper classes drink clean water on a regular basis, while the lower classes are left to consume copious amounts of wine, fruit juices and goats milk. It is believed that goats milk and fruit juices are healthy for young children but wine is also significantly cheaper so children will often start to drink wine at young ages. Drinking wine in all scenarios is publicly acceptable and, because of the naturally high tolerance of alcohol that the people develop, becoming drunk takes severe consumption and is thought of as a sign of poor self-control or childish behaviour.

The drugs and opiates available in this time were most commonly ground and smoked. Smoking opium privately or visiting "smoke rooms" in brothels are the most common means of partaking in the indulgence but opium is expensive and it is usually a pasttime reserved for those who save their coin for such an activity or to the upper classes. Drug use is frowned upon no more or less than visiting a brothel; when done in moderation it causes not even a second glance but when indulged in too heavily, to the point where responsibilities are neglected, it is a sign of poor self control and treated with dishonour and degradation. To be clear, at no point are the pasttimes of smoking, drinking or sleeping with sex workers considered inappropriate or judgement worthy. What is judged (if the siutation arises) is someone's inability to moderate their behaviour and retain responsibilities and honour as the chief importance in one's life.

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The Greeks believe that they were created in the image of the Gods. As such, they need to ensure that their appearance is appropriate and looked after. Different realms have different popularities and fashions but they all have a similar theme and style due to: their shared beliefs, the similarities in their homesteads and islands and the fact that they all enjoy the same temperature and climate. Depending on their class and occupation, Greeks have pale to olive to tanned skin; based on their sun exposure. They are average in build and are often more dark haired than light, though certain families do have strains of blonde or even redhead within them. Due to the warm climate of their home, togas and chitons - made of thin and airy fabrics or silks - are the preferred choice of clothing. The people of Greece favour sandals and the women often curl and braid their hair into designs appropriately intricate for their respective classes. Both long and short styles of hair are acceptable for men. Women are expected to wear their hair long. The Greeks keep themselves clean by bathing in private or public bathhouses at least once a week for the lower classes, sometimes as often as once a day for the upper classes.

The clothing worn by the Greeks is almost solely made from linen, silks and wool. The first is less expensive and worn by many and the second two more predominantly worn by the upper classes. Fur and hide are also acceptable fabrics from which to form clothes but only by those who make a living at such things or live outside of civilised society. While the fabric of clothing is not diverse, nor shows impressive birth or riches, the distinction in rank is often shown through colour and accessories. Many of the items of clothing worn in Greece require fastening in place. The use of gold pins instead of leather ties, or bright colours like blues, purples or yellows were clear indicators of expense.

[attr="class","enc_table1"]Chiton
A chiton is the general name for any form of female or male dress that consists of a single sheet of cloth, sewn into a tube. It is worn by the wearer stepping inside and pulling the tube up to their shoulders where it is fastened to itself on either side of the neck, over both shoulders. The garment is then cinched at the waist by a belt or girdle, excess fabric being kept in the upper half to fall down over the belt, obscuring it from view. Different designs leave the upper half of the gown looser or more fitted. Some are cinched at the waist and then held together with realms of belted leather or fabric, from upper waist to mid thigh, in order to pull the chiton closer to the body and create a tighter design (a style usually only used by women). Depending on the length of the tubular fabric and how much is left after securing it over the shoulders, the excess material can be pulled together and fastened at points over the upper arms to make sleeves or it is left to fall sleeveless. It is often formed of linen or soft fabric.

[attr="class","enc_table1"]Peplos
A peplos is a singular sheet of long rectangular fabric fastened in a similar way to a chiton but, as it's not a fastened tube, it remains open on one side. The sheet is pinned to itself above both shoulders with a third of it's length above the fastenings. This third section then folds back down over the torso, as a fluttery second layer. This layer then masks where the peplos is tied, like the chiton, at the waist. This second layer is sometimes pinned in order to create short sleeves to mid-bicep or is left to hang freely down in front of each arm. The gown leaves a slit down one leg where the fabric meets, the length of which is up to the wearer - some use expensive pins to fasten it all the way down, others leave it open. The peplos was originally a design to be worn over a chiton and is still used as an additional layer of clothing on colder days. In the summer months, however, it is often worn alone, giving the wearer a lighter and cooler outfit. This design is rarely worn by men either singularly or as a second layer. A peplos is often created from thinner material than a chiton, such as silk or organsa.

[attr="class","enc_table2"]Tunic
A chiton tunic or peplos tunic work in exactly the same way as above but are cut shorter; at the knee. They are fastened in the same manner above each shoulder and can have sleeves if the material is fastened as such. They are normally not designed with enough material to be able to produce long sleeves - only short ones. They are often worn by slaves, lower class servants or children of any class. In the upper classes, moving from a short length tunic to a full length chiton, when attending public events, can be a seen as a move to adulthood or maturity in the wearer. However, the tunic is also a perfectly acceptable garment to be worn by grown men in the casual comfort of their own home. Women of the upper classes very rarely wear tunics once of marriable age. In the lower classes, tunics are worn by grown men all the time. Tunics are seen to be an item used for practicality. The higher up the social ladder you go, the less need for manual labour and therefore the less need for a practical sense of dress. Alternatively, tunics are worn by all class types when in the military. They are worn as an underlayer to armour or military garb - a protection between skin and leather or metal work. In this case, they are treated more like undergarments than actual attire and are worn, once more, for their practical use.

[attr="class","enc_table3"]Himation
The himation is, like a peplos, a singular piece of rectangular cloth that wraps around the wearer. It is worn beneath the left armpit and fastened over the right shoulder. Sometimes it is fastened directly in the corners, other times further along the top edge to offer a swath of extra material tumbling down the wearer's side. This is worn over the top of a chiton or peplos but rarely over a tunic. The himation is not used as an additional layer for warmth but one of noteriety and used to impress. It is often made of expensive material or pattern or colour and used as a complimentary accessory over a man or woman's clothes. Another manner of wearing the himation - used solely by women - is to fasten one end of the garment to their left hip, via the girdle or belt they are using the cinch their chiton or peplos, then drape the fabric before them in front of their knees, up their right side and then over their heads; the width of the fabric ensuring a large sweep of material down their back. This is then either fastened to their left side or left there, held in place by the size of the material. It can also be fastened to a headdress. This manner of dressing is considered very humble and is often worn by women of a mature generation, by aged royalty who want to appear in deference to their ruling children or by women who are in mourning.

[attr="class","enc_table1"]Chlamys
Like a himation, a chlamys is worn over the top of other clothing and never alone. Instead of being pulled under one arm, however, it is fastened directly around the shoulders and secured in place over one of them - usually the wearer's non-dominant arm. A chlamys is worn as an additional layer for warmth, is often knee length and made of thick wool, heavy linen or very thin hide. Due to its warmth and practical length, it is often worn as an addition to a tunic by military men or by those on hunting expeditions. Depending on the wearer's purpose/intent, a chlamys is often affixed above the non-dominant hand to allow the opening to fall over where a sword sheath would be fastened. This always for faster and easier withdrawal of a weapon. An archer might wear it the opposing way around in order to have the join over their drawing arm.

[attr="class","enc_table"]Epiblema
An epiblema works in a similar sense to a himation and can, just the same, be worn in many different ways or methods. The difference between the two pieces of clothing, primarily, is that an epiblema is designed to be an accessory rather than an additional layer to an outfit. It is a long rectangle - like a himation - but far thinner in shape. It is often worn about the waist, over the shoulders or looped through the elbows in order to drape down behind the wearers back. It can also be worn tied and fastened around a wearer's top half, in order to emphasise feminine appeal or highly a design. While himations are worn by both genders, epiblemas are solely used by the fairer sex and are often made of a material as delicate and lovely as the gender they are used by; silk, organsa or gossamer.

[attr="class","enc_table3"]Peronai Fibulae
Clothing is rarely sewn or woven together in Greece and, as such, requires holding together in some way. Small togs or buttons are occasionally utilised but more commonly pins and brooches were used to fasten the garments for the upper classes and tassled pieces of material were used to tie gowns into place for the lower classes. Peronai is the name of small, cheap metal pins used on the inside of the cloth so as not to be seen, while Fibulae are the more ornate and decorative brooches worn with great show; often on the shoulders. Most fibulae consisted of two pieces; a horseshoe shape and a thin pin, longer than the hoop is wide. The manouvering of the pin through the material and braced on the horseshoe would keep the fabric in place. This method was strong but not resilient and the slightest tug in the wrong direction could force the pin to slip, release the fabric and the garment into a pile at the wearers feet. For this reason, elegance and cautious movement in the upper classes was encouraged for dignity as well as grace.

The manner of dress listed for the clothing above are all the normal ways in which these garments are used. However, please be aware that these items are named for the shape and size and cut of the fabric; not how they are worn. Ergo, a himation is known as a himation because it is a long rectangular piece of cloth not because it is worn as an outer accessory over one shoulder. Therefore, when describing your character, stating that they are "wearing a himation" does not actually describe how they may appear.
Aeipathy Additions
Due to roleplay diversity and ease (away from historical accuracy) we at Aeipathy also allow characters to wear simple shirts and riding pants. The shirts should be cut in flowing shapes - not fitted, and often in the shape of a tunic - and with limited seams or sewing. Generally they should be held together with ties or larger stitching with stands of leather, fabric or cord - not sewn with thread in small stitching. The only exception here is the very upper classes who may have access to such craftsmanship. The riding pants should also be looser than modern day jodhpurs and sewn in a similar manner, up the outer side of the legs and from the small of the back down and under the pelvis to the front - ergo constructed from four different pieces of fabric or leather. These are generally listed as only being used for riding purposes.

With clothing being limited in terms of tools, workmanship and fabric choice - even dyes (though used to show class and wealth of garments were limited in their range of color) most of the upper echelons of society show their power, standing and riches through their jewellery and accessories. Women are often decked out in crowns, tiaras, diadems, circlets, earrings, necklaces, armbands, bracelets, rings, decorative belts, legbands, anklets and toerings; depending on their rank and personal choice. Fibulae used to hold clothing together and in place could also be incredibly ornate for women and the very higher ends of society - where such time and attention can be paid to singular gowns or items of clothing - would have had strands of glass beads, jewels or precious metals sewn into the seams and edges of their gowns in order to make them shine, glitter and clink with motion.

Men would also have worn jewellery. Crowns, circlets, armbands, wristbands, rings and belts would all have been acceptable to be worn by men. The fibulae used by men - though could be decorative for no other purpose than aesthetics - are most often used to depict their loyalties; such as with House or kingdom crests.

Piercing or other permanent body modications in Greece were uncommon. Tattooing was not a practice carried out, nor was piercing the flesh. Ergo, any jewellery (such as earrings) was always designed to be clipped onto the ears/appropate body parts.

Leather work is not new or unusual for the people of the Aegean. Leather has been used and worked for military purposes, tack for horses and all other manners of things for many centuries. This includes footwear. Footwear in ancient Greece normally consists of leather strapped sandals. These sandals can be tied solely around the foot, around the ankle or all the way up to, or past, the knees. Thongs - similar to flip-flops, with a leather or wooden base and leather straps across the feet - were also common, especially in the lower classes. Leather can also, however, be worked, boil hard and turned into boots. This, however, takes much more time, a higher grade of leather and requires being made specifically for the wearer rather than mass produced. As such, boots were only really worn among the upper classes. Women or young children might also wear soft shoes or short boots made from fur or soft hide, depending on the climate or time of year.

Believing themselves to be created in the image of the Gods, and with water being a plentiful commodity in the Aegean, the Greeks are a very clean race of people. Most visit the public bathhouses at least once a week, if not more. And the upper classes, who believe in the power of relaxation and the luxuriation of treating their body like a temple, would often bathe daily (specifically the women).

Public bathhouses, consisting of a singular large room with a communal bath of different stages and levels, as well as smaller sweat rooms. The public baths would operate as such: Arrival would consist of removing ones clothes and shoes and stripping down to full nudity. A cloth would be presented by a slave who then takes your belongings to store away during your visit. Users of the baths would attend to the sweat room (if they wanted to) before then bathing in the communal room. Genders were kept separate but classes were not. If a patron of the baths had coin to spare they could pay a fee to have a slave massage and oil them before they then dressed and left. Those without money were permitted to attend the baths regardless; these additional services were just not accessible to them.

Different cultures have different standards and ideals on what makes a human beautiful. The people of Greece are no different. The below are written from the perspective of heterosexual attraction and marriage potential as these are the generally recognised and expected ideals of an individual within this Realm.

In women, those who are considered the most beautiful are those who were symmetrical in features, healthy in palor (full, volumous hair, bright eyes, healthy, shiny nails, glossy smooth skin) and are soft in shape. Breasts of all shapes and sizes are considered attractive, though larger breasts lack appeal after several years due to limited use of binding undergarments. Ergo, smaller breasts tend to be more attractive so that they might remain so for longer after marriage. Soft lines and a wider set of hips and thighs are considered more desirable, both due to the indication that the woman is more fertile and will be able to birth children with greater ease. A healthy appetite is also seen as attractive in women as it means that they were sturdy and healthy; aka able to survive the labours of pregnancy and childbirth in the future. The slightly peared body shape is considered the best possible body shape as it is the epitome of Aphrodite herself. Unless a darker tone of skin is clearly inherited from family, paler skin is seen as more attractive on women of the noble classes, as a woman who shows little sign of labouring under the sun is a good indicator of riches and security from her family. In the lower classes, this is less of a consideration. While paler skin was considered more attractive, symptoms of hard work aren't such a turn off to the lower class men who require their wife to be hearty and able to keep up with the demands of his family's trade if he is to marry her.

With men, attraction is a simple affair. A man who appears physically strong and capable of looking after oneself is considered attractive. A man is expected to fulfil a single role in marriage; the protection of his family. Dominant or obvious muscles, height, bredth of shoulder and even war wounds, such as scars, would have been considered badges of honour and strength. The line is only crossed when a man has lost a limb or body part in combat (this can be seen as brave and heroic and attractive, or as if he has made a mistake in battle and is more idiotic than brave; depending on the story that goes with the wound). A man who is tanned or freckled (and has therefore been out in the sun or working long labourious hours outside) is a sign of strength. Men who are well dressed and well careful for, also show a level of power and strength; in terms of money, wealth and status. A man who has both of these things is considered the best marital "catch" of all. The only caveat to this, is that a man who is very obviously military driven comes with additional concerns of death. Should a husband be killed in battle, the widow is left to fend for herself or return to her birth family, with only financial inheritance. If there is no inheritance, the woman is left destitute (potentially with children to support). Ergo, while a heavily combat driven male would be considered attractive as a man, depending on his situation in life, he might not be considered so attractive an option, as a husband.

As all humans were created in the image of the Gods, those who are truly beautiful and epitomise the beauty and grace of Gods like Apollo and Aphrodite are considered to be of great favouritism by the Gods. This means that they might be considered to be especially "good", "wise" or "powerful" people with each to associate. The Greeks were, in this sense, incredibly shallow; easily attributing personality traits and values of person onto another based on how beautiful they are. A Greek is more likely to naturally trust someone who is beautiful than one who has been given less favour by the Gods in their looks.

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As well as honour and dignity, the Aegean peoples work on a basis of a "job well done". They are hard-working, efficient and often perfectionist in their attentions and believe in responsibility and family legacy. As such, whether they are a member of the upper or lower classes, work days are often long and efforts tireless. Less so are the attentions made to family and relationships.

Commercially and legally, the kingdoms in the Grecian realm work in currency form, where goods are traded for money and workers earn money with their services. However, the further down the class system you go, the more common material trading is; people trading goods for goods. This is often to avoid the accounting and taxes that go with trading in coin. Greeks are sticklers for rules and don't often except favours or owes for their services or goods. Some people consider them to be cold-hearted in matters of business.
Denomination
Bronze 'Obol' (10 cents)
Silver 'Owl' (worth 20 Obols) ($2)
Gold 'Drachmae' (worth 100 Owls) ($200)

Occupations and jobs within Greece are as widespread as anywhere else. From beggars, dancers, musicians and entertainers on the streets, to traders, merchants, bakers, butchers, seamstresses, leather workers, blacksmiths and up still further to any kind of military man, steward or House servants. From the boy who runs around with the latest news (delivered verbally for a small coin) to the Master Informer of the entire kingdom, there are a range of roles and positions both on land and on the sea. Consider all the needs of everyday life and get creative with your choices.

The Greek cuisine is generally that which they can grow for themselves. While they have a strong nautical force and the ability to reach all areas of the Mediterranean, there is no need to search for food that far afield. The Greek islands are lush and fertile and their crafters, growers and farmers skilled at what they do.

When seated at the table of a Greek household you are most likely to be presented with wet cheeses, dry breads, fruits (both fresh and dried), juices, wine and copious amounts of seafood, including fish, shellfish, squid and eel.

Buildings and structures in Greece are often made from stone; both poor and rich alike. The palaces and wealthier properties are often made in (or clad in, for those attempting to appear richer than they can afford) marble, while granite surfices for the less wealthy. For the poorest areas of cities and settlements, wood is used to construct the homes. This is also more often the case in the provinces and outer territories. The western addition of doors are used in the homes of those who can afford them, while in the lower circles, curtains of bright fabric or wooden sheets that are moved over the doorway manually are used for privacy. Windows are simply holes in the walls, covered by brightly coloured fabric, yet in the coldest of regions and richest of homes, people have started to mould glass pieces to push and hold into the open spaces. So far this has only worked in small pieces so the holes in the stone are crafted long and thin, and the glass pieces small and murky with craftsmanship. But, they go some way to relieving the cold and keeping out at least some wet weather.

While mostly all buildings are made of rock or stone, everything within a household is normally worked from wood, leather or linen. These are cheapest and easiest materials to produce and anything made of other materials such as silks or masonry are a sign of wealth and influence.
A Lower Class Home
A poorer home with a Greek kingdom would normally consist of two rooms - one is the living and cooking space, with either a fire pit in the centre (and a hole in the roof), or a built in fire plinth and flume. This room is used for cooking, socialising and general living tasks. The second room is used for sleeping, is often small and only accomodates the space required for a bed. Sometimes a family will separate their generations and have either the parents or children sleep in the first room, to allow for the necessary privacy for a married couple. Bathing happens in the public wash houses and going to the bathroom is done over a chamber pot which is then thrown away.
An Upper Class Home
Upper class homes (depending on their wealth) will have a larger number of rooms or areas - even wings dedicated solely to servants or children. The general importance of a house in Greece is how many chambers it can boast and how smoothly or or beautifully they have been designed. Are they in a perfect square surrounding a couryard? A horseshoe with sweeping staircases? A spiral of rooms? Another element with which to impress wealth is if the building has more than one floor. Most homes in Greece are single storey - even the richer ones with sprawling estates. Only the very wealthiest of the royal classes can boast more than one floor.