Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/124

CHAPTER VI ATHENS IN THE AGE OF PERICLES I. HOUSES, EDUCATION, AND SCIENCE 116. The New Athens: Athenian Houses. The hasty re- building of Athens after the Persians had burned it did not pro- duce any noticeable changes in the houses, nor were there any of great size or beauty. The one-story front of even a wealthy man's house was simply a blank wall, usually of sun-dried brick. The door, commonly the only opening in the windowless front, led into a court open to the sky and surrounded by a porch with . columns adopted from Egypt. Here in the mild climate of Greece the family could spend much of their time as in a sitting room. From the court a number of doors opened into a living room, sleeping rooms, dining rooms, storerooms, and a tiny kitchen. The house lacked all conveniences. There was no chimney, and the smoke from the kitchen fire, though intended to drift up through a hole in the roof, often choked the room or floated out of the door. In winter gusty drafts filled the house, for many entrances were without doors. Glass windowpanes were still un- known. The only stove was a pan of burning charcoal. Lacking windows, the ground-floor rooms depended for light entirely on the doors opening on the court. At night the dim light of an olive-oil lamp was all that was available. There was no plumbing or piping of any kind in the house, no drainage, and consequently no sanitary arrangements. The water supply was brought in jars by slaves from the nearest well or spring. The simplicity and bareness of the house itself were in noticeable contrast with the beautiful furniture and pottery which the Greek craftsmen were now producing. 78