A Day in Old Athens; a Picture of Athenian Life

"A Day in Old Athens; a Picture of Athenian Life" by William Stearns Davis is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This book seeks to vividly portray daily life in ancient Athens around the year 360 B.C., a time when the city was experiencing cultural and architectural prosperity while maintaining the vigor of its democratic constitution. Through the author's narrative, readers are likely to gain insight into the various aspects of Athenian society, from the structure of homes and social customs to the marketplace and activities of the Agora. At the start of the text, Davis outlines the significance of Athens in Greek history, emphasizing its contributions to Western civilization through figures such as philosophers, poets, and sculptors. He elaborates on the city's physical setting, describing the natural beauty of Attica and the geography of Athens itself, characterized by mountains, the sea, and a brilliant climate that influenced both the lifestyle and culture of its inhabitants. The opening chapters provide a glimpse of morning life in Athens, depicting the bustling crowds making their way to the city alongside farmers and vendors, creating a rich tapestry of Athenian daily experiences. This detailed setting not only sets the stage for the exploration of various societal elements but also evokes the vibrant character of Athens during its golden age. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Stearns Davis was an American educator, historian, and author. He has been cited as one who "contributed to history as a scholarly discipline,. .. [but] was intrigued by the human side of history, which, at the time, was neglected by the discipline." After first experimenting with short stories, he turned while still a college undergraduate to longer forms to relate, from an involved (fictional) character's view, a number of critical turns of history. This faculty for humanizing, even dramatizing, history characterized Davis' later academic and professional writings as well, making them particularly suitable for secondary and higher education during the first half of the twentieth century in a field which, according to one editor, had "lost the freshness and robustness. .. the congeniality" that should mark the study of history. Both Davis' fiction and non-fiction are found in public and academic libraries today.