Greece was under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, with rains coming chiefly in the form of cyclonic storms which hit the west coast more heavily than the east. Seasonal distribution of rainfall was such that the rains came just before the heat of spring and early summer, hence drought was always a possibility on the mainland. The only solution was to leave half of the land barren (fallow) every year to conserve moisture.

The beginning of agricultural operations was often signalled by some particular astronomical event, seasonal behaviour of animals or drastic change of season. The basic plough was the ard, which was symmetrical in shape and drawn by cattle. Sowing was conducted concurrently with ploughing, the sower walking behind the plough and scattering seeds into the furrows. A harrow was later used to cover the seeds. However, little else is known about the hoeing and weeding of the crop.

The Greeks did use artificial means of irrigation. They dug tunnels to channel water from springs to farms. One such tunnel, built by engineers in Samos, was drilled through an entire mnountain. Archimedes, a prolific inventor and mathematician, developed a spiral structure in a cylindrical casing that could lift water when it was spun. It was used to raise water from a stream or irrigation ditch to the fields. This device, known as Archimedes' Screw, is still by Egyptian farmers to draw water from the Nile today.

Besides grain, grapevines, olives and figs were also grown in Greece. Vines were grown in fig or olive groves and made to climb up the trunks of the other trees. The fine wine the Greeks made was exported to Rome and Gaul. Thus wine was big business in Greece. It also encouraged the design and manufacturing of a wide variety of pottery designs. These pots and the art rendered on them are a major source of our knowledge of ancient Greece.

Horses had no part to play in agriculture - they were solely for battles and races. Cattle were reared only for physical work; sheep and goats supplied milk. Pigs and fowl were also reared for meat.