Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks

Table 2.1:
The Farmer’s Year According to Hesiod (after Claudia Carrington, Omnibus 17 [March, 1989]). Reprinted with
permission.
MUNYCHION
When the one
whose house is
on his back climbs
up the stems,
sharpen your
sickles and rouse
your slaves
ELAPHEBOLION
Now is the time to
tend your vines,
pick off the caterpillars
and pull
out all the weeds
THARGELION / SKIROPHORION
Thresh and winnow your grain. When
all your work is done relax with good
wine
ANTHESTERION
When plowing
time arrives, make
haste to plow,
both you and your
slaves, on rainy
days and dry ones
GAMELION
Wear a fleecy
coat and tunic . . .
Do not be idle.
Mend and repair
old and broken
tools
HEKATOMBAION
Now is the time
to harvest figs. Be
sure to have a
sharp-toothed dog
to keep away
thieves
POSEIDEON
Be on your guard!
This is the hardest
month, stormy,
hard on livestock
and hard on men
METAGEITNION
Pluck the clustered
grapes and bring
your harvest
home
MAIMAKTERION
When you hear
the crane’s voice,
know that she
means the time
has come to
plough
BOEDROMION
Harvest your
olives
PYANOPSION
The sum’s
sharp fury and
drenching heat
subside and
mighty Zeus
sends autumn
rain