Climate and Landscape. The physical environment had profound effects on Greek daily life. The type of weather and terrain dictated the needs for clothing and housing and the availability of certain types of food. A mild climate encouraged outdoor social activities and recreation while the mountains caused independent city-states to arise on the plains.

Clothing. The Greeks used a variety of fabrics for clothing, with wool being the most readily available. Outer garments included the himation and the peplos, while the khiton was the primary undergarment. Sandals were popular footwear and although many people went bareheaded, some hats such as the pilidion and petasos were used. In the Archaic Period (700-480 B.C.E.) long hair was fashionable for men but became gradually less so by the fifth century. Women's hair was long throughout the period 800-323 B.C.E., and female beauty was considered enhanced by cosmetics...