Hunter and Gatherer Societies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/home_life/

The above image shows the slaying of a wild boar.  The process of hunting in ancient Greece was designated to only men.  It was common for men to spend days away from home to go hunting with other men.  Hunting was a key way to not only make money but also feed their families. 

http://www.travelsd.com/Outdoors/Hunting/General-Information/Hunting-Photos---Videos

Today hunting is more of a hobby than anything else.  In most cases, people hunt to have fun rather than a means for food.  Comparing this to ancient Greece it is apparent that being a good hunter was essential to having a successful life back then.  Although their main source of food came from their farms, trading the meat they got was important to get money and continue getting income.  

Hunting in ancient Greece was also a spiritual matter as well.  Artemis was the Greek-god of hunting and wilderness.  She was worshipped so that she would bring good hunting seasons and a more.  Artemis was depicted as a young girl with a short white tunic.  It fascinated me that although both women and girls were banned from hunting, the Goddess of hunting was still a girl.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/home_life/

The above image from ancient Greece depicts three people picking olives from an olive tree.  Farming was of great importance in Greece because it supported the economy, was the primary source of food and made it possible for families to get income.  Farming also gave slaves a job.  Most families owned their own plot of land.  And when I say families I mean the father of the household.  Only he was allowed to own land and therefore the farm belonged to him.  When boys grew older they would sometimes be given some extra land from their father or in other cases would buy land and start a farm of their own. 

http://mgiannini.blogspot.com/2011/04/new-ways-of-farming-why-not.html

Farms today are much different then they were back then.  Crops can be harvested using machines instead of the intense labor of men.  The work of a hundred men can be easily done in half the time by these new technological advances.  We do rely on farms for much of our food however much of the food we buy is imported from other countries.  This is similar to ancient Athens.  Imported grain into Athens was the most important aspect of their economy; as is imports in ours. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/growing_up_in_greece/

Above is a water jug with men plowing a field.  Most men grew up to be farmers.

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/greek_world/
http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/menu.html