The first school to which a boy went was that of the letter-teacher, who taught reading, writing, and simple arithmetic. A kylix in Case 3 (see head-band, p. 40) is decorated with figures of schoolboys, one of whom holds a roll of manuscript, and another a writing tablet. These tablets were thin pieces of wood covered with wax and fastened together with cords (fig. 56). A pointed stylus (fig. 54) was used for writing, the blunt end being turned around when it was necessary to erase by smoothing the wax[1]. After three or four years in the letter-school the boys went to the music teacher, who taught them to sing and to play the lyre, and in connection with the music they learned many selections from the great poets. Training in the palaistra or wrestling-school was begun very early, and was usually continued until the boy was old enough to be called into the military service of the state. These lessons will be described in the section on athletics, as the sports of the palaistra were in general the same as those of the men’s gymnasium. In addition to the subjects already mentioned, many boys, during the fifth century and later, studied geometry, rhetoric, and philosophy. [1] Several very interesting objects illustrating Greek writing and writing-materials are exhibited in the case devoted to learning in the Seventh Egyptian Room. They include a wooden tablet covered with wax, several short letters on potsherds—a cheap and common writing-material—and fragments of the Iliad and the Odyssey on papyrus, the usual substance on which books were written, dating from the third century B.C. The reed pens in this case are of the kind employed for writing on papyrus. [Illustration: FIG. 55. EPHEDRISMOS GAME] [Illustration: FIG. 56. BOY WITH A WRITING TABLET] [Illustration: FIG. 57. INK-POT] In Italy, Greek ideas of education were generally adopted; boys learned the Greek language and studied the Greek and Roman poets. A little geography and history were taught, and arithmetic occupied much time, for the Roman system of weights, measures, and coins was difficult and inconvenient. Besides the schools for elementary subjects there were special classes for the study of rhetoric and philosophy. The children of rich or noble families were often educated at home by Greek tutors, the girls and boys together, and among the humbler people they went to the same school for a time. In general the education of girls was similar to that of boys, so far as it went, and sometimes in wealthy families was continued after marriage. Many ladies knew the Greek poets well and wrote verses themselves. Music occupied much of their time and they learned to dance for recreation and as a means of giving pleasure to their families and friends. [Illustration] [Illustration] VI DRESS AND TOILET CASES 2, 3, AND 5 [Illustration: FIG. 58. DIAGRAM OF DORIC CHITON]