Generally, small farmers were considered:
* Essential to the functioning of the polis (city-state): They provided the majority of the food supply, making them crucial to the economic and social stability of the state. Their labor supported the urban population and the military.
* Less prestigious than other groups: Compared to wealthy landowners (aristocrats), merchants, and especially those involved in politics and philosophy, small farmers held lower social standing. They lacked the leisure time and resources for intellectual pursuits and public life.
* Subject to economic hardship: Small farms were often vulnerable to crop failure, debt, and exploitation by powerful landowners. This could lead to poverty and even landlessness. They were at the mercy of natural events and the whims of the market.
* The backbone of the hoplite army (in some periods): In many city-states, particularly Athens during its classical period, the small farmers constituted a significant portion of the citizen-soldier army. This civic duty gave them a degree of social importance and provided a sense of collective identity.
Variations and nuances:
* Spartan society differed significantly: Sparta's rigid social system placed a strong emphasis on military service and land ownership within a closely-controlled system. Free Spartan citizens, though often described as owning small plots, were not seen as "small farmers" in the same way as in other polis. Their status was defined by their military contributions.
* Athenian democracy: While not necessarily elevated to high social standing, the small farmers of Athens played a vital role in the functioning of the democracy. Their participation in the Assembly and other political processes was essential, albeit often influenced by powerful elites.
* Over time: The status of small farmers likely fluctuated depending on economic conditions. Periods of prosperity might lead to improved circumstances, while periods of hardship and crisis could result in increased poverty and social unrest.
In short, while vital to the survival and functioning of Greek society, small farmers occupied a lower rung on the social ladder compared to wealthier citizens. Their lives were often characterized by economic insecurity, but their contribution to both the economy and the military (in many city-states) secured them a necessary, if not always respected, place within the social fabric.