Shifting Work Patterns in the 12 and 13th Century in Ancient Greek and Rome

Shifting Work Patterns Introduction number of things about the history of accounting can be learned by studying ancient civilizations. It is important to look at the shifting work patterns in Greece, Rome and London in the 12th and 13th centuries to gain a better insight to these cultures. Ancient Greece In the 12th and 13th centuries, Greek men "ran the government, and spent a great deal of their time away from home.

When not involved in politics, the men spent time in the fields, overseeing or working the crops, sailing, hunting, in manufacturing or in trade (www.cedarville.edu/dept/ed/resource/schools/chca/othergrades/gree...)." Most Greek women were not allowed much freedom outside of their homes, however inside the home, they were the boss. The main job for the woman was "to run the house and have children.

Most Greek women did not do house work themselves, but instead had slaves (www.cedarville.edu/dept/ed/resource/schools/chca/othergrades/gree...)." It was the female slave's job to "cook, clean and work in the fields.

Male slaves were responsible for watching the door, making sure no one came in when the man of the house was away, except for female neighbors, and acting as tutors to the young male children (www.cedarville.edu/dept/ed/resource/schools/chca/othergrades/gree...)." Ancient Rome In the 12th and 13th centuries, Rome was involved in "the Crusades, which have been called 'the first Renaissance', and one which did for a civilization that had long been dormant one thing which the World Wars did for the civilization of the 20th century,-- it let one part of the race know more of what other parts were doing and thinking and hoping (www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/timeline2.html)." Ancient London The Norman Conquest in the late 11th century was responsible for "awakening and uniting England, and showed her what the Continent had for her in the way of science and art (www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/timeline2.html)." In the 12th century astronomy became an acceptable and noble profession.

Also during the 12th and 13th centuries, London citizens found employment as "streetsweepers, fishmongers, grocers, and haberdashers (http://homepages.gold.ac.uk/genuki/LND/Indexes/MEDMCHTS.txt)." During this era, several of the London's streets were "named after the particular trade which practiced there. For example, Threadneedle Street was the tailor's district, Bread Street had bakeries, and on Milk Street, cows were kept for milking.

There was also a very active livestock market at Smithfield (http://www.britainexpress.com/London/medieval-london.htm)." Changes in Rome and England The various factors of the Crusades and Norman Conquest influenced the work patterns of Rome and England in the 12th and 13th centuries.

They began to enter a "new era, one in which cathedral building, church reform, renewed attention to the arts, political experiment, and scientific achievement played great parts (www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/timeline2.html)." High Middle Ages In the 12th century, an economic revival began as towns began to be erected or increased in size.

These towns "pioneered town liberties, especially self-government, as they learned how to govern themselves through town courts, selecting a mayor, and learning how to tax (www2.austin.cc.tx.us/rebhist/2311IIIa.html)." Medieval Careers During the Medieval times which encompassed the 12th and 13th centuries, citizens of Rome and England found a wide array of professions available such as "actor, apothecarist, baker, barrister or professional lawyer, bookbinder, bricklayer, candlemaker, carpenter, cartographer or map-makers, cook, farmer, furrier, gravedigger, innkeeper, jeweler, leatherworker, peddler, playwright, politician, potter, sailor, shipwright, and stone carver (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Shifting Patterns There began to be a shifting of work patterns in a number of professions.

This was noted in some of the more important and higher paid jobs such as architects who "built structures, towns and buildings, and were highly in demand and paid high wages for their services; and armorers who were usually blacksmiths as well, but as war became a more frequent event many blacksmiths could afford to relinquish their skills of crafting metalworks and strictly pursue the field of marking armor.

Most Armorers were members of the Middle Class and were often very wealthy (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Increase in Popularity In the late 12th century, the Bowyer became been a skilled profession that was in high demand, due to the bow becoming a standard weapon in war. Locksmiths became important during the 13th century, as castles demanded more security. Their skills were "in the beginning stages, but an intricate lock that resisted the efforts of picking or tampering was soon highly valued.

To maintain security, Locksmiths were trained in guilds and the secrets of their craft were kept highly guarded (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Shoemakers began to become popular during this time as they "curtailed their businesses to suit the needs of most people (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Loss of Importance In the time between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Physician went from a highly respected job to one that was opposed by the citizens.

This occurred because "many of the practices performed were deemed to be against the teachings and doctrines of Church Law (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Also during the 12th century, clothing became an "available commodity to the lower classes and peasants (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)," increasing the demand for Clothiers.

This was previously a highly paid profession, but "when fabrics became available to all classes, Clothiers found they could only earn a modest living (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Banking Beginnings During the 12th and 13th century, banking "was still in its developmental stages, but there was always work to be found for a professional Moneylender.

He was able to set his own rules and since he was offering his personal finances, he was often exempt from taxes and levies (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html).")." The term 'interest' came about at this time since the Moneylender's money was known as "his 'interest' being that it was the primary element of his business (www.stud.ifi.uio.no/~gahegsvo/dnet/book/x7439.html)." Conclusion During the 12th and 13th centuries there were a number of changes in work patterns for the people of Greece, Rome and England.

Some professions gained in popularity, while others saw their earnings decrease. The banking industry was in its early beginnings during this period, and the term.