works of art. Those black water pots covered with red-clay figures
which the serving maids are bearing so carelessly into the scullery
at the screaming summons of the cook will be some day perchance
the pride of a museum, and teach a later age that costly material
and aristocratic uses are not needful to make an article supremely
beautiful.

Of course the well-to-do Athenian is proud to possess certain
"valuables." He will have a few silver cups elegantly chased,
and at least one diner's couch in the andron will be made of rare
imported wood, and be inlaid with gilt or silver. On festival
days the house will be hung with brilliant and elaborately wrought
tapestries which will suddenly emerge from the great chests. Also,
despite frowns and criticisms, the custom is growing of decorating
one's walls with bright-lined frescoes after the manner of the Agora
colonnades. In the course of a few generations the homes of the
wealthier Greeks will come to resemble those of the Romans, such
as a later age has resurrected at Pompeii.





Chapter V. The Women of Athens.



27. How Athenian Marriages are Arranged.--Over this typical Athenian
home reigns the wife of the master. Public opinion frowns upon
celibacy, and there are relatively few unmarried men in Athens.