What was school like in ancient times? In Greece, 2,500 years ago, students used to get up at dawn to go to school. Classes began very early and ended when it was dark. Students didn't rest on the weekends. They had classes seven days a week, so they didn't have much time for anything else. In Athens, only the sons of rich people went to school, and they started school around the age of seven. After they learned to read and write, they uesed to study Greek poetry and historical works. Music was very important, and physical training was also important. Teachers used to hit students who didn't pay attention or were lazy. Girls stayed at home with their mothers and learned how to do work in the home.
In ancient Rome, boys and girls from wealthy families received a bilingual education. They had to study Greek and Latin. Students usually had classes outside, if the weather was good, or in the teacher's house. Young students sat on the floor. Older students used to sit on benches, higher up. That's how "high school" got its name.
Education was very important to the ancient Aztecs of Mexico. Boys and girls used to attend school, but they were kept separate from one another. They learned Aztec history, myths, and rituals, but they memorized everything because there weren't any textbooks. The boys recieved intensive military training, and girls learned how to manage the home and the family. There were two kinds of school: one for children of nobility and another for children of ordinary families.