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The Project Gutenberg eBook of On Revenues
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Title: On Revenues
Author: Xenophon
Translator: Henry Graham Dakyns
Release date: January 1, 1998 [eBook #1179]
Most recently updated: October 29, 2024
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1179
Credits: Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON REVENUES
***
ON REVENUES
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will
have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using
this eBook.
Title: On Revenues
Author: Xenophon
Translator: Henry Graham Dakyns
Release date: January 1, 1998 [eBook #1179]
Most recently updated: October 29, 2024
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1179
Credits: Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON REVENUES
***
ON REVENUES
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By Xenophon
Translation by H. G. Dakyns
Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a
pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans,
and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land
and property in Scillus, where he lived for many
years before having to move once more, to settle
in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C.
Revenues describes Xenophon's ideas to solve the
problem of poverty in Athens, and thus remove an
excuse to mistreat the Athenian allies.
PREPARER'S NOTE
This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a
four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though
there is doubt about some of these) is:
Work Number of books
The Anabasis 7
The Hellenica 7
The Cyropaedia 8
The Memorabilia 4
The Symposium 1
The Economist 1
On Horsemanship 1
The Sportsman 1
The Cavalry General 1
The Apology 1
On Revenues 1
The Hiero 1
The Agesilaus 1
The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2
Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into
English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The
diacritical marks have been lost.
Translation by H. G. Dakyns
Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a
pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans,
and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land
and property in Scillus, where he lived for many
years before having to move once more, to settle
in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C.
Revenues describes Xenophon's ideas to solve the
problem of poverty in Athens, and thus remove an
excuse to mistreat the Athenian allies.
PREPARER'S NOTE
This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a
four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though
there is doubt about some of these) is:
Work Number of books
The Anabasis 7
The Hellenica 7
The Cyropaedia 8
The Memorabilia 4
The Symposium 1
The Economist 1
On Horsemanship 1
The Sportsman 1
The Cavalry General 1
The Apology 1
On Revenues 1
The Hiero 1
The Agesilaus 1
The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2
Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into
English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The
diacritical marks have been lost.
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WAYS AND MEANS
A Pamphlet On Revenues
I
For myself I hold to the opinion that the qualities of the leading
statesmen in a state, whatever they be, are reproduced in the character of the
constitution itself. (1)
(1) "Like minister, like government." For the same idea more fully
expressed, see "Cyrop." VIII. i. 8; viii. 5.
As, however, it has been maintained by certain leading statesmen in
Athens that the recognised standard of right and wrong is as high at Athens
as elsewhere, but that, owing to the pressure of poverty on the masses, a
certain measure of injustice in their dealing with the allied states (2) could
not be avoided; I set myself to discover whether by any manner of means it
were possible for the citizens of Athens to be supported solely from the soil
of Attica itself, which was obviously the most equitable solution. For if so,
herein lay, as I believed, the antidote at once to their own poverty and to the
feeling of suspicion with which they are regarded by the rest of Hellas.
(2) Lit. "the cities," i.e. of the alliance, {tas summakhidas}.
I had no sooner begun my investigation than one fact presented itself
clearly to my mind, which is that the country itself is made by nature to
provide the amplest resources. And with a view to establishing the truth of
this initial proposition I will describe the physical features of Attica.
In the first place, the extraordinary mildness of the climate is proved by
the actual products of the soil. Numerous plants which in many parts of the
world appear as stunted leafless growths are here fruit-bearing. And as with
the soil so with the sea indenting our coasts, the varied productivity of
which is exceptionally great. Again with regard to those kindly fruits of
earth (3) which Providence bestows on man season by season, one and all
they commence earlier and end later in this land. Nor is the supremacy of
Attica shown only in those products which year after year flourish and grow
A Pamphlet On Revenues
I
For myself I hold to the opinion that the qualities of the leading
statesmen in a state, whatever they be, are reproduced in the character of the
constitution itself. (1)
(1) "Like minister, like government." For the same idea more fully
expressed, see "Cyrop." VIII. i. 8; viii. 5.
As, however, it has been maintained by certain leading statesmen in
Athens that the recognised standard of right and wrong is as high at Athens
as elsewhere, but that, owing to the pressure of poverty on the masses, a
certain measure of injustice in their dealing with the allied states (2) could
not be avoided; I set myself to discover whether by any manner of means it
were possible for the citizens of Athens to be supported solely from the soil
of Attica itself, which was obviously the most equitable solution. For if so,
herein lay, as I believed, the antidote at once to their own poverty and to the
feeling of suspicion with which they are regarded by the rest of Hellas.
(2) Lit. "the cities," i.e. of the alliance, {tas summakhidas}.
I had no sooner begun my investigation than one fact presented itself
clearly to my mind, which is that the country itself is made by nature to
provide the amplest resources. And with a view to establishing the truth of
this initial proposition I will describe the physical features of Attica.
In the first place, the extraordinary mildness of the climate is proved by
the actual products of the soil. Numerous plants which in many parts of the
world appear as stunted leafless growths are here fruit-bearing. And as with
the soil so with the sea indenting our coasts, the varied productivity of
which is exceptionally great. Again with regard to those kindly fruits of
earth (3) which Providence bestows on man season by season, one and all
they commence earlier and end later in this land. Nor is the supremacy of
Attica shown only in those products which year after year flourish and grow
Page 8
old, but the land contains treasures of a more perennial kind. Within its
folds lies imbedded by nature an unstinted store of marble, out of which are
chiselled (4) temples and altars of rarest beauty and the glittering splendour
of images sacred to the gods. This marble, moreover, is an object of desire
to many foreigners, Hellenes and barbarians alike. Then there is land which,
although it yields no fruit to the sower, needs only to be quarried in order to
feed many times more mouths than it could as corn-land. Doubtless we owe
it to a divine dispensation that our land is veined with silver; if we consider
how many neighbouring states lie round us by land and sea and yet into
none of them does a single thinnest vein of silver penetrate.
(3) Lit. "those good things which the gods afford in their seasons."
(4) Or, "arise," or "are fashioned."
Indeed it would be scarcely irrational to maintain that the city of Athens
lies at the navel, not of Hellas merely, but of the habitable world. So true is
it, that the farther we remove from Athens the greater the extreme of heat or
cold to be encountered; or to use another illustration, the traveller who
desires to traverse the confines of Hellas from end to end will find that,
whether he voyages by sea or by land, he is describing a circle, the centre of
which is Athens. (5)
(5) See "Geog. of Brit. Isles." J. R. and S. A. Green, ch. i. p. 7:
"London, in fact, is placed at what is very nearly the geometrical
centre of those masses of land which make up the earth surface of
the globe, and is thus more than any city of the world the natural
point of convergence for its different lines of navigation," etc.
The natural advantages of Boeotia are similarly set forth by
Ephorus. Cf. Strab. ix. 2, p. 400.
Once more, this land though not literally sea-girt has all the advantages
of an island, being accessible to every wind that blows, and can invite to its
bosom or waft from its shore all products, since it is peninsular; whilst by
land it is the emporium of many markets, as being a portion of the
continent.
Lastly, while the majority of states have barbarian neighbours, the source
of many troubles, Athens has as her next-door neighbours civilised states
which are themselves far remote from the barbarians.
II
folds lies imbedded by nature an unstinted store of marble, out of which are
chiselled (4) temples and altars of rarest beauty and the glittering splendour
of images sacred to the gods. This marble, moreover, is an object of desire
to many foreigners, Hellenes and barbarians alike. Then there is land which,
although it yields no fruit to the sower, needs only to be quarried in order to
feed many times more mouths than it could as corn-land. Doubtless we owe
it to a divine dispensation that our land is veined with silver; if we consider
how many neighbouring states lie round us by land and sea and yet into
none of them does a single thinnest vein of silver penetrate.
(3) Lit. "those good things which the gods afford in their seasons."
(4) Or, "arise," or "are fashioned."
Indeed it would be scarcely irrational to maintain that the city of Athens
lies at the navel, not of Hellas merely, but of the habitable world. So true is
it, that the farther we remove from Athens the greater the extreme of heat or
cold to be encountered; or to use another illustration, the traveller who
desires to traverse the confines of Hellas from end to end will find that,
whether he voyages by sea or by land, he is describing a circle, the centre of
which is Athens. (5)
(5) See "Geog. of Brit. Isles." J. R. and S. A. Green, ch. i. p. 7:
"London, in fact, is placed at what is very nearly the geometrical
centre of those masses of land which make up the earth surface of
the globe, and is thus more than any city of the world the natural
point of convergence for its different lines of navigation," etc.
The natural advantages of Boeotia are similarly set forth by
Ephorus. Cf. Strab. ix. 2, p. 400.
Once more, this land though not literally sea-girt has all the advantages
of an island, being accessible to every wind that blows, and can invite to its
bosom or waft from its shore all products, since it is peninsular; whilst by
land it is the emporium of many markets, as being a portion of the
continent.
Lastly, while the majority of states have barbarian neighbours, the source
of many troubles, Athens has as her next-door neighbours civilised states
which are themselves far remote from the barbarians.
II
Page 9
All these advantages, to repeat what I have said, may, I believe, be traced
primarily to the soil and position of Attica itself. But these natural blessings
may be added to: in the first place, by a careful handling of our resident
alien (1) population. And, for my part, I can hardly conceive of a more
splendid source of revenue than lies open in this direction. Here you have a
self-supporting class of residents conferring large benefits upon the state,
and instead of receiving payment (2) themselves, contributing on the
contrary to the gain of the exchequer by the sojourners' tax. (3) Nor, under
the term careful handling, do I demand more than the removal of
obligations which, whilst they confer no benefit on the state, have an air of
inflicting various disabilities on the resident aliens. (4) And I would further
relieve them from the obligation of serving as hoplites side by side with the
citizen proper; since, beside the personal risk, which is great, the trouble of
quitting trades and homesteads is no trifle. (5) Incidentally the state itself
would benefit by this exemption, if the citizens were more in the habit of
campaigning with one another, rather than (6) shoulder to shoulder with
Lydians, Phrygians, Syrians, and barbarians from all quarters of the world,
who form the staple of our resident alien class. Besides the advantage (of so
weeding the ranks), (7) it would add a positive lustre to our city, were it
admitted that the men of Athens, her sons, have reliance on themselves
rather than on foreigners to fight her battles. And further, supposing we
offered our resident aliens a share in various other honourable duties,
including the cavalry service, (8) I shall be surprised if we do not increase
the goodwill of the aliens themselves, whilst at the same time we add
distinctly to the strength and grandeur of our city.
(1) Lit. "metics" or "metoecs."
(2) {misthos}, e.g. of the assembly, the senate, and the dicasts.
(3) The {metoikion}. See Plat. "Laws," 850 B; according to Isaeus, ap.
Harpocr. s.v., it was 12 drachmae per annum for a male and 6
drachmae for a female.
(4) Or, "the class in question." According to Schneider (who cites the
{atimetos metanastes} of Homer, "Il." ix. 648), the reference is
not to disabilities in the technical sense, but to humiliating
duties, such as the {skaphephoria} imposed on the men, or the
{udriaphoria} and {skiadephoria} imposed on their wives and
daughters in attendance on the {kanephoroi} at the Panathenaic and
other festival processions. See Arist. "Eccles." 730 foll.;
Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (Eng. tr. G. Cornewall Lewis, p. 538).
(5) Or, reading {megas men gar o agon, mega de kai to apo ton tekhnon
primarily to the soil and position of Attica itself. But these natural blessings
may be added to: in the first place, by a careful handling of our resident
alien (1) population. And, for my part, I can hardly conceive of a more
splendid source of revenue than lies open in this direction. Here you have a
self-supporting class of residents conferring large benefits upon the state,
and instead of receiving payment (2) themselves, contributing on the
contrary to the gain of the exchequer by the sojourners' tax. (3) Nor, under
the term careful handling, do I demand more than the removal of
obligations which, whilst they confer no benefit on the state, have an air of
inflicting various disabilities on the resident aliens. (4) And I would further
relieve them from the obligation of serving as hoplites side by side with the
citizen proper; since, beside the personal risk, which is great, the trouble of
quitting trades and homesteads is no trifle. (5) Incidentally the state itself
would benefit by this exemption, if the citizens were more in the habit of
campaigning with one another, rather than (6) shoulder to shoulder with
Lydians, Phrygians, Syrians, and barbarians from all quarters of the world,
who form the staple of our resident alien class. Besides the advantage (of so
weeding the ranks), (7) it would add a positive lustre to our city, were it
admitted that the men of Athens, her sons, have reliance on themselves
rather than on foreigners to fight her battles. And further, supposing we
offered our resident aliens a share in various other honourable duties,
including the cavalry service, (8) I shall be surprised if we do not increase
the goodwill of the aliens themselves, whilst at the same time we add
distinctly to the strength and grandeur of our city.
(1) Lit. "metics" or "metoecs."
(2) {misthos}, e.g. of the assembly, the senate, and the dicasts.
(3) The {metoikion}. See Plat. "Laws," 850 B; according to Isaeus, ap.
Harpocr. s.v., it was 12 drachmae per annum for a male and 6
drachmae for a female.
(4) Or, "the class in question." According to Schneider (who cites the
{atimetos metanastes} of Homer, "Il." ix. 648), the reference is
not to disabilities in the technical sense, but to humiliating
duties, such as the {skaphephoria} imposed on the men, or the
{udriaphoria} and {skiadephoria} imposed on their wives and
daughters in attendance on the {kanephoroi} at the Panathenaic and
other festival processions. See Arist. "Eccles." 730 foll.;
Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (Eng. tr. G. Cornewall Lewis, p. 538).
(5) Or, reading {megas men gar o agon, mega de kai to apo ton tekhnon
Page 10
kai ton oikeion apienai}, after Zurborg ("Xen. de Reditibus
Libellus," Berolini, MDCCCLXXVI.), transl. "since it is severe
enough to enter the arena of war, but all the worse when that
implies the abandonment of your trade and your domestic concerns."
(6) Or, "instead of finding themselves brigaded as nowadays with a
motley crew of Lydians," etc.
(7) Zurborg, after Cobet, omits the words so rendered.
(8) See "Hipparch." ix. 3, where Xenophon in almost identical words
recommends that reform.
In the next place, seeing that there are at present numerous building sites
within the city walls as yet devoid of houses, supposing the state were to
make free grants of such land (9) to foreigners for building purposes in
cases where there could be no doubt as to the respectability of the applicant,
if I am not mistaken, the result of such a measure will be that a larger
number of persons, and of a better class, will be attracted to Athens as a
place of residence.
(9) Or, "offer the fee simple of such property to."
Lastly, if we could bring ourselves to appoint, as a new government
office, a board of guardians of foreign residents like our Guardians of
Orphans, (10) with special privileges assigned to those guardians who
should show on their books the greatest number of resident aliens—such a
measure would tend to improve the goodwill of the class in question, and in
all probability all people without a city of their own would aspire to the
status of foreign residents in Athens, and so further increase the revenues of
the city. (11)
(10) "The Archon was the legal protector of all orphans. It was his
duty to appoint guardians, if none were named in the father's
will."—C. R. Kennedy, Note to "Select Speeches of Demosthenes."
The orphans of those who had fallen in the war (Thuc. ii. 46) were
specially cared for.
(11) Or, "help to swell the state exchequer."
III
At this point I propose to offer some remarks in proof of the attractions
and advantages of Athens as a centre of commercial enterprise. In the first
place, it will hardly be denied that we possess the finest and safest
harbourage for shipping, where vessels of all sorts can come to moorings
and be laid up in absolute security (1) as far as stress of weather is
Libellus," Berolini, MDCCCLXXVI.), transl. "since it is severe
enough to enter the arena of war, but all the worse when that
implies the abandonment of your trade and your domestic concerns."
(6) Or, "instead of finding themselves brigaded as nowadays with a
motley crew of Lydians," etc.
(7) Zurborg, after Cobet, omits the words so rendered.
(8) See "Hipparch." ix. 3, where Xenophon in almost identical words
recommends that reform.
In the next place, seeing that there are at present numerous building sites
within the city walls as yet devoid of houses, supposing the state were to
make free grants of such land (9) to foreigners for building purposes in
cases where there could be no doubt as to the respectability of the applicant,
if I am not mistaken, the result of such a measure will be that a larger
number of persons, and of a better class, will be attracted to Athens as a
place of residence.
(9) Or, "offer the fee simple of such property to."
Lastly, if we could bring ourselves to appoint, as a new government
office, a board of guardians of foreign residents like our Guardians of
Orphans, (10) with special privileges assigned to those guardians who
should show on their books the greatest number of resident aliens—such a
measure would tend to improve the goodwill of the class in question, and in
all probability all people without a city of their own would aspire to the
status of foreign residents in Athens, and so further increase the revenues of
the city. (11)
(10) "The Archon was the legal protector of all orphans. It was his
duty to appoint guardians, if none were named in the father's
will."—C. R. Kennedy, Note to "Select Speeches of Demosthenes."
The orphans of those who had fallen in the war (Thuc. ii. 46) were
specially cared for.
(11) Or, "help to swell the state exchequer."
III
At this point I propose to offer some remarks in proof of the attractions
and advantages of Athens as a centre of commercial enterprise. In the first
place, it will hardly be denied that we possess the finest and safest
harbourage for shipping, where vessels of all sorts can come to moorings
and be laid up in absolute security (1) as far as stress of weather is
Page 11
concerned. But further than that, in most states the trader is under the
necessity of lading his vessel with some merchandise (2) or other in
exchange for his cargo, since the current coin (3) has no circulation beyond
the frontier. But at Athens he has a choice: he can either in return for his
wares export a variety of goods, such as human beings seek after, or, if he
does not desire to take goods in exchange for goods, he has simply to export
silver, and he cannot have a more excellent freight to export, since wherever
he likes to sell it he may look to realise a large percentage on his capital. (4)
(1) Reading {adeos} after Cobet, or if {edeos}, transl. "in perfect
comfort."
(2) Or, "of exchanging cargo for cargo to the exclusion of specie."
(3) I.e. of the particular locality. See "The Types of Greek Coins,"
Percy Gardner, ch. ii. "International Currencies among the
Greeks."
(4) Or, "on the original outlay."
Or again, supposing prizes (5) were offered to the magistrates in charge
of the market (6) for equitable and speedy settlements of points in dispute
(7) to enable any one so wishing to proceed on his voyage without
hindrance, the result would be that far more traders would trade with us and
with greater satisfaction.
(5) Cf. "Hiero," ix. 6, 7, 11; "Hipparch." i. 26.
(6) {to tou emporiou arkhe}. Probably he is referring to the
{epimeletai emporiou} (overseers of the market). See Harpocr.
s.v.; Aristot. "Athenian Polity," 51.
(7) For the sort of case, see Demosth. (or Deinarch.) "c. Theocr."
1324; Zurborg ad loc.; Boeckh, I. ix. xv. (pp. 48, 81, Eng. tr.)
It would indeed be a good and noble institution to pay special marks of
honour, such as the privilege of the front seat, to merchants and shipowners,
and on occasion to invite to hospitable entertainment those who, through
something notable in the quality of ship or merchandise, may claim to have
done the state a service. The recipients of these honours will rush into our
arms as friends, not only under the incentive of gain, but of distinction also.
Now the greater the number of people attracted to Athens either as
visitors or as residents, clearly the greater the development of imports and
exports. More goods will be sent out of the country, (8) there will be more
buying and selling, with a consequent influx of money in the shape of rents
necessity of lading his vessel with some merchandise (2) or other in
exchange for his cargo, since the current coin (3) has no circulation beyond
the frontier. But at Athens he has a choice: he can either in return for his
wares export a variety of goods, such as human beings seek after, or, if he
does not desire to take goods in exchange for goods, he has simply to export
silver, and he cannot have a more excellent freight to export, since wherever
he likes to sell it he may look to realise a large percentage on his capital. (4)
(1) Reading {adeos} after Cobet, or if {edeos}, transl. "in perfect
comfort."
(2) Or, "of exchanging cargo for cargo to the exclusion of specie."
(3) I.e. of the particular locality. See "The Types of Greek Coins,"
Percy Gardner, ch. ii. "International Currencies among the
Greeks."
(4) Or, "on the original outlay."
Or again, supposing prizes (5) were offered to the magistrates in charge
of the market (6) for equitable and speedy settlements of points in dispute
(7) to enable any one so wishing to proceed on his voyage without
hindrance, the result would be that far more traders would trade with us and
with greater satisfaction.
(5) Cf. "Hiero," ix. 6, 7, 11; "Hipparch." i. 26.
(6) {to tou emporiou arkhe}. Probably he is referring to the
{epimeletai emporiou} (overseers of the market). See Harpocr.
s.v.; Aristot. "Athenian Polity," 51.
(7) For the sort of case, see Demosth. (or Deinarch.) "c. Theocr."
1324; Zurborg ad loc.; Boeckh, I. ix. xv. (pp. 48, 81, Eng. tr.)
It would indeed be a good and noble institution to pay special marks of
honour, such as the privilege of the front seat, to merchants and shipowners,
and on occasion to invite to hospitable entertainment those who, through
something notable in the quality of ship or merchandise, may claim to have
done the state a service. The recipients of these honours will rush into our
arms as friends, not only under the incentive of gain, but of distinction also.
Now the greater the number of people attracted to Athens either as
visitors or as residents, clearly the greater the development of imports and
exports. More goods will be sent out of the country, (8) there will be more
buying and selling, with a consequent influx of money in the shape of rents
Page 12
to individuals and dues and customs to the state exchequer. And to secure
this augmentation of the revenues, mind you, not the outlay of one single
penny; nothing needed beyond one or two philanthropic measures and
certain details of supervision. (9)
(8) See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 24.
(9) See Aristot. "Pol." iv. 15, 3.
With regard to the other sources of revenue which I contemplate, I admit,
it is different. For these I recognise the necessity of a capital (10) to begin
with. I am not, however, without good hope that the citizens of this state
will contribute heartily to such an object, when I reflect on the large sums
subscribed by the state on various late occasions, as, for instance, when
reinforcements were sent to the Arcadians under the command of
Lysistratus, (11) and again at the date of the generalship of Hegesileos. (12)
I am well aware that ships of war are frequently despatched and that too
(13) although it is uncertain whether the venture will be for the better or for
the worse, and the only certainty is that the contributor will not recover the
sum subscribed nor have any further share in the object for which he gave
his contribution. (14)
(10) "A starting-point."
(11) B.C. 366; cf. "Hell." VII. iv. 3.
(12) B.C. 362; cf. "Hell." VII. v. 15. See Grote, "H. G." x. 459;
Ephor. ap. Diog. Laert. ii. 54; Diod. Sic. xv. 84; Boeckh, ap. L.
Dindorf. Xenophon's son Gryllus served under him and was slain.
(13) Reading {kai tauta toutout men adelou ontos}, after Zurborg.
(14) Reading { (uper) on an eisenegkosi} with Zurborg. See his note,
"Comm." p. 25.
But for a sound investment (15) I know of nothing comparable with the
initial outlay to form this fund. (16) Any one whose contribution amounts to
ten minae (17) may look forward to a return as high as he would get on
bottomry, of nearly one-fifth, (18) as the recipient of three obols a day. The
contributor of five minae (19) will on the same principle get more than a
third, (20) while the majority of Athenians will get more than cent per cent
on their contribution. That is to say, a subscription of one mina (21) will put
the subscriber in possession of nearly double that sum, (22) and that,
this augmentation of the revenues, mind you, not the outlay of one single
penny; nothing needed beyond one or two philanthropic measures and
certain details of supervision. (9)
(8) See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 24.
(9) See Aristot. "Pol." iv. 15, 3.
With regard to the other sources of revenue which I contemplate, I admit,
it is different. For these I recognise the necessity of a capital (10) to begin
with. I am not, however, without good hope that the citizens of this state
will contribute heartily to such an object, when I reflect on the large sums
subscribed by the state on various late occasions, as, for instance, when
reinforcements were sent to the Arcadians under the command of
Lysistratus, (11) and again at the date of the generalship of Hegesileos. (12)
I am well aware that ships of war are frequently despatched and that too
(13) although it is uncertain whether the venture will be for the better or for
the worse, and the only certainty is that the contributor will not recover the
sum subscribed nor have any further share in the object for which he gave
his contribution. (14)
(10) "A starting-point."
(11) B.C. 366; cf. "Hell." VII. iv. 3.
(12) B.C. 362; cf. "Hell." VII. v. 15. See Grote, "H. G." x. 459;
Ephor. ap. Diog. Laert. ii. 54; Diod. Sic. xv. 84; Boeckh, ap. L.
Dindorf. Xenophon's son Gryllus served under him and was slain.
(13) Reading {kai tauta toutout men adelou ontos}, after Zurborg.
(14) Reading { (uper) on an eisenegkosi} with Zurborg. See his note,
"Comm." p. 25.
But for a sound investment (15) I know of nothing comparable with the
initial outlay to form this fund. (16) Any one whose contribution amounts to
ten minae (17) may look forward to a return as high as he would get on
bottomry, of nearly one-fifth, (18) as the recipient of three obols a day. The
contributor of five minae (19) will on the same principle get more than a
third, (20) while the majority of Athenians will get more than cent per cent
on their contribution. That is to say, a subscription of one mina (21) will put
the subscriber in possession of nearly double that sum, (22) and that,
Page 13
moreover, without setting foot outside Athens, which, as far as human
affairs go, is as sound and durable a security as possible.
(15) "A good substantial property."
(16) Or, "on the other hand, I affirm that the outlay necessary to
form the capital for my present project will be more remunerative
than any other that can be named." As to the scheme itself see
Grote, "Plato," III. ch. xxxix.; Boeckh, op. cit. (pp. 4, 37, 136,
600 seq. Eng. tr.) Cf. Demosth. "de Sym." for another scheme, 354
B.C., which shows the "sound administrative and practical
judgment" of the youthful orator as compared with "the benevolent
dreams and ample public largess in which Xenophon here indulges."
—Grote, op. cit. p. 601.
(17) L40:12:4 = 1000 drachmae.
(18) I.e. exactly 18 or nearly 20 per cent. The following table will
make the arithmetic clear:—
6 ob. = 1 drachma 10 minae = 6000 ob.
100 dr. = 1 mina = 1000 dr.
600 ob. = 1 mina 1000 dr.:180 dr.::100:18 therefore nearly 1/5
3 ob. (a day) x 360 = 1080 ob. p.a. = nearly 20 per cent.
= 180 dr. p.a.
As to the 3 obols a day (= 180 dr. p.a.) which as an Athenian
citizen he is entitled to, see Grote, op. cit. p. 597: "There will
be a regular distribution among all citizens, per head and
equally. Three oboli, or half a drachma, will be allotted daily to
each, to poor and rich alike" (on the principle of the Theorikon).
"For the poor citizens this will provide a comfortable
subsistence, without any contribution on their part; the poverty
now prevailing will thus be alleviated. The rich, like the poor,
receive the daily triobolon as a free gift; but if they compute it
as interest for their investments, they will find that the rate of
interest is full and satisfactory, like the rate on bottomry."
Zurborg, "Comm." p. 25; Boeckh, op. cit. IV. xxi. (p. 606, Eng.
tr.); and Grote's note, op. cit. p. 598.
(19) = L20:6:3 = 500 drachmae.
(20) = I.e. 36 per cent.
(21) = L4:1:3 = 100 drachmae.
(22) I.e. 180 per cent.
Moreover, I am of opinion that if the names of contributors were to be
inscribed as benefactors for all time, many foreigners would be induced to
contribute, and possibly not a few states, in their desire to obtain the right of
inscription; indeed I anticipate that some kings, (23) tyrants, (24) and
satraps will display a keen desire to share in such a favour.
affairs go, is as sound and durable a security as possible.
(15) "A good substantial property."
(16) Or, "on the other hand, I affirm that the outlay necessary to
form the capital for my present project will be more remunerative
than any other that can be named." As to the scheme itself see
Grote, "Plato," III. ch. xxxix.; Boeckh, op. cit. (pp. 4, 37, 136,
600 seq. Eng. tr.) Cf. Demosth. "de Sym." for another scheme, 354
B.C., which shows the "sound administrative and practical
judgment" of the youthful orator as compared with "the benevolent
dreams and ample public largess in which Xenophon here indulges."
—Grote, op. cit. p. 601.
(17) L40:12:4 = 1000 drachmae.
(18) I.e. exactly 18 or nearly 20 per cent. The following table will
make the arithmetic clear:—
6 ob. = 1 drachma 10 minae = 6000 ob.
100 dr. = 1 mina = 1000 dr.
600 ob. = 1 mina 1000 dr.:180 dr.::100:18 therefore nearly 1/5
3 ob. (a day) x 360 = 1080 ob. p.a. = nearly 20 per cent.
= 180 dr. p.a.
As to the 3 obols a day (= 180 dr. p.a.) which as an Athenian
citizen he is entitled to, see Grote, op. cit. p. 597: "There will
be a regular distribution among all citizens, per head and
equally. Three oboli, or half a drachma, will be allotted daily to
each, to poor and rich alike" (on the principle of the Theorikon).
"For the poor citizens this will provide a comfortable
subsistence, without any contribution on their part; the poverty
now prevailing will thus be alleviated. The rich, like the poor,
receive the daily triobolon as a free gift; but if they compute it
as interest for their investments, they will find that the rate of
interest is full and satisfactory, like the rate on bottomry."
Zurborg, "Comm." p. 25; Boeckh, op. cit. IV. xxi. (p. 606, Eng.
tr.); and Grote's note, op. cit. p. 598.
(19) = L20:6:3 = 500 drachmae.
(20) = I.e. 36 per cent.
(21) = L4:1:3 = 100 drachmae.
(22) I.e. 180 per cent.
Moreover, I am of opinion that if the names of contributors were to be
inscribed as benefactors for all time, many foreigners would be induced to
contribute, and possibly not a few states, in their desire to obtain the right of
inscription; indeed I anticipate that some kings, (23) tyrants, (24) and
satraps will display a keen desire to share in such a favour.
Page 14
(23) Zurborg suggests (p. 5) "Philip or Cersobleptes." Cf. Isocr. "On
the Peace," S. 23.
(24) I.e. despotic monarchs.
To come to the point. Were such a capital once furnished, it would be a
magnificent plan to build lodging-houses for the benefit of shipmasters in
the neighbourhood of the harbours, in addition to those which exist; and
again, on the same principle, suitable places of meeting for merchants, for
the purposes (25) of buying and selling; and thirdly, public lodging-houses
for persons visiting the city. Again, supposing dwelling-houses and stores
for vending goods were fitted up for retail dealers in Piraeus and the city,
they would at once be an ornament to the state and a fertile source of
revenue. Also it seems to me it would be a good thing to try and see if, on
the principle on which at present the state possesses public warships, it
would not be possible to secure public merchant vessels, to be let out on the
security of guarantors just like any other public property. If the plan were
found feasible this public merchant navy would be a large source of extra
revenue.
(25) Reading, with Zurborg, {epi one te}.
IV
I come to a new topic. I am persuaded that the establishment of the silver
mines on a proper footing (1) would be followed by a large increase in
wealth apart from the other sources of revenue. And I would like, for the
benefit of those who may be ignorant, to point out what the capacity of
these mines really is. You will then be in a position to decide how to turn
them to better account. It is clear, I presume, to every one that these mines
have for a very long time been in active operation; at any rate no one will
venture to fix the date at which they first began to be worked. (2) Now in
spite of the fact that the silver ore has been dug and carried out for so long a
time, I would ask you to note that the mounds of rubbish so shovelled out
are but a fractional portion of the series of hillocks containing veins of
silver, and as yet unquarried. Nor is the silver-bearing region gradually
becoming circumscribed. On the contrary it is evidently extending in wider
area from year to year. That is to say, during the period in which thousands
of workers (3) have been employed within the mines no hand was ever
stopped for want of work to do. Rather, at any given moment, the work to
the Peace," S. 23.
(24) I.e. despotic monarchs.
To come to the point. Were such a capital once furnished, it would be a
magnificent plan to build lodging-houses for the benefit of shipmasters in
the neighbourhood of the harbours, in addition to those which exist; and
again, on the same principle, suitable places of meeting for merchants, for
the purposes (25) of buying and selling; and thirdly, public lodging-houses
for persons visiting the city. Again, supposing dwelling-houses and stores
for vending goods were fitted up for retail dealers in Piraeus and the city,
they would at once be an ornament to the state and a fertile source of
revenue. Also it seems to me it would be a good thing to try and see if, on
the principle on which at present the state possesses public warships, it
would not be possible to secure public merchant vessels, to be let out on the
security of guarantors just like any other public property. If the plan were
found feasible this public merchant navy would be a large source of extra
revenue.
(25) Reading, with Zurborg, {epi one te}.
IV
I come to a new topic. I am persuaded that the establishment of the silver
mines on a proper footing (1) would be followed by a large increase in
wealth apart from the other sources of revenue. And I would like, for the
benefit of those who may be ignorant, to point out what the capacity of
these mines really is. You will then be in a position to decide how to turn
them to better account. It is clear, I presume, to every one that these mines
have for a very long time been in active operation; at any rate no one will
venture to fix the date at which they first began to be worked. (2) Now in
spite of the fact that the silver ore has been dug and carried out for so long a
time, I would ask you to note that the mounds of rubbish so shovelled out
are but a fractional portion of the series of hillocks containing veins of
silver, and as yet unquarried. Nor is the silver-bearing region gradually
becoming circumscribed. On the contrary it is evidently extending in wider
area from year to year. That is to say, during the period in which thousands
of workers (3) have been employed within the mines no hand was ever
stopped for want of work to do. Rather, at any given moment, the work to
Page 15
be done was more than enough for the hands employed. And so it is to-day
with the owners of slaves working in the mines; no one dreams of reducing
the number of his hands. On the contrary, the object is perpetually to
acquire as many additional hands as the owner possibly can. The fact is that
with few hands to dig and search, the find of treasure will be small, but with
an increase in labour the discovery of the ore itself is more than
proportionally increased. So much so, that of all operations with which I am
acquainted, this is the only one in which no sort of jealousy is felt at a
further development of the industry. (4) I may go a step farther; every
proprietor of a farm will be able to tell you exactly how many yoke of oxen
are sufficient for the estate, and how many farm hands. To send into the
field more than the exact number requisite every farmer would consider a
dead loss. (5) But in silver mining (operations) the universal complaint is
the want of hands. Indeed there is no analogy between this and other
industries. With an increase in the number of bronze-workers articles of
bronze may become so cheap that the bronze-worker has to retire from the
field. And so again with ironfounders. Or again, in a plethoric condition of
the corn and wine market these fruits of the soil will be so depreciated in
value that the particular husbandries cease to be remunerative, and many a
farmer will give up his tillage of the soil and betake himself to the business
of a merchant, or of a shopkeeper, to banking or money-lending. But the
converse is the case in the working of silver; there the larger the quantity of
ore discovered and the greater the amount of silver extracted, the greater the
number of persons ready to engage in the operation. One more illustration:
take the case of movable property. No one when he has got sufficient
furniture for his house dreams of making further purchases on this head, but
of silver no one ever yet possessed so much that he was forced to cry
"enough." On the contrary, if ever anybody does become possessed of an
immoderate amount he finds as much pleasure in digging a hole in the
ground and hoarding it as in the actual employment of it. And from a wider
point of view: when a state is prosperous there is nothing which people so
much desire as silver. The men want money to expend on beautiful armour
and fine horses, and houses, and sumptuous paraphernalia (6) of all sorts.
The women betake themselves to expensive apparel and ornaments of gold.
Or when states are sick, (7) either through barrenness of corn and other
fruits, or through war, the demand for current coin is even more imperative
(whilst the ground lies unproductive), to pay for necessaries or military aid.
with the owners of slaves working in the mines; no one dreams of reducing
the number of his hands. On the contrary, the object is perpetually to
acquire as many additional hands as the owner possibly can. The fact is that
with few hands to dig and search, the find of treasure will be small, but with
an increase in labour the discovery of the ore itself is more than
proportionally increased. So much so, that of all operations with which I am
acquainted, this is the only one in which no sort of jealousy is felt at a
further development of the industry. (4) I may go a step farther; every
proprietor of a farm will be able to tell you exactly how many yoke of oxen
are sufficient for the estate, and how many farm hands. To send into the
field more than the exact number requisite every farmer would consider a
dead loss. (5) But in silver mining (operations) the universal complaint is
the want of hands. Indeed there is no analogy between this and other
industries. With an increase in the number of bronze-workers articles of
bronze may become so cheap that the bronze-worker has to retire from the
field. And so again with ironfounders. Or again, in a plethoric condition of
the corn and wine market these fruits of the soil will be so depreciated in
value that the particular husbandries cease to be remunerative, and many a
farmer will give up his tillage of the soil and betake himself to the business
of a merchant, or of a shopkeeper, to banking or money-lending. But the
converse is the case in the working of silver; there the larger the quantity of
ore discovered and the greater the amount of silver extracted, the greater the
number of persons ready to engage in the operation. One more illustration:
take the case of movable property. No one when he has got sufficient
furniture for his house dreams of making further purchases on this head, but
of silver no one ever yet possessed so much that he was forced to cry
"enough." On the contrary, if ever anybody does become possessed of an
immoderate amount he finds as much pleasure in digging a hole in the
ground and hoarding it as in the actual employment of it. And from a wider
point of view: when a state is prosperous there is nothing which people so
much desire as silver. The men want money to expend on beautiful armour
and fine horses, and houses, and sumptuous paraphernalia (6) of all sorts.
The women betake themselves to expensive apparel and ornaments of gold.
Or when states are sick, (7) either through barrenness of corn and other
fruits, or through war, the demand for current coin is even more imperative
(whilst the ground lies unproductive), to pay for necessaries or military aid.
Page 16
(1) Or, "on a sound basis."
(2) "Exploited."
(3) Or, "at the date when the maximum of hands was employed."
(4) Reading {epikataskeuazumenois}, or, if {episkeuazomenoi}, transl.
"at the rehabilitation of old works."
(5) Cf. "Oecon." xvii. 12.
(6) "The thousand and one embellishments of civil life."
(7) "When a state is struck down with barrenness," etc. See "Mem." II.
vii.
And if it be asserted that gold is after all just as useful as silver, without
gainsaying the proposition I may note this fact (8) about gold, that, with a
sudden influx of this metal, it is the gold itself which is depreciated whilst
causing at the same time a rise in the value of silver.
(8) Lit. "I know, however."
The above facts are, I think, conclusive. They encourage us not only to
introduce as much human labour as possible into the mines, but to extend
the scale of operations within, by increase of plant, etc., in full assurance
that there is no danger either of the ore itself being exhausted or of silver
becoming depreciated. And in advancing these views I am merely following
a precedent set me by the state herself. So it seems to me, since the state
permits any foreigner who desires it to undertake mining operations on a
footing of equality (9) with her own citizens.
(9) Or, "at an equal rent with that which she imposes on her own
citizens." See Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (p. 540, Eng. tr.)
But, to make my meaning clearer on the question of maintenance, I will
at this point explain in detail how the silver mines may be furnished and
extended so as to render them much more useful to the state. Only I would
premise that I claim no sort of admiration for anything which I am about to
say, as though I had hit upon some recondite discovery. Since half of what I
have to say is at the present moment still patent to the eyes of all of us, and
as to what belongs to past history, if we are to believe the testimony of our
fathers, (10) things were then much of a piece with what is going on now.
No, what is really marvellous is that the state, with the fact of so many
private persons growing wealthy at her expense, and under her very eyes,
(2) "Exploited."
(3) Or, "at the date when the maximum of hands was employed."
(4) Reading {epikataskeuazumenois}, or, if {episkeuazomenoi}, transl.
"at the rehabilitation of old works."
(5) Cf. "Oecon." xvii. 12.
(6) "The thousand and one embellishments of civil life."
(7) "When a state is struck down with barrenness," etc. See "Mem." II.
vii.
And if it be asserted that gold is after all just as useful as silver, without
gainsaying the proposition I may note this fact (8) about gold, that, with a
sudden influx of this metal, it is the gold itself which is depreciated whilst
causing at the same time a rise in the value of silver.
(8) Lit. "I know, however."
The above facts are, I think, conclusive. They encourage us not only to
introduce as much human labour as possible into the mines, but to extend
the scale of operations within, by increase of plant, etc., in full assurance
that there is no danger either of the ore itself being exhausted or of silver
becoming depreciated. And in advancing these views I am merely following
a precedent set me by the state herself. So it seems to me, since the state
permits any foreigner who desires it to undertake mining operations on a
footing of equality (9) with her own citizens.
(9) Or, "at an equal rent with that which she imposes on her own
citizens." See Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (p. 540, Eng. tr.)
But, to make my meaning clearer on the question of maintenance, I will
at this point explain in detail how the silver mines may be furnished and
extended so as to render them much more useful to the state. Only I would
premise that I claim no sort of admiration for anything which I am about to
say, as though I had hit upon some recondite discovery. Since half of what I
have to say is at the present moment still patent to the eyes of all of us, and
as to what belongs to past history, if we are to believe the testimony of our
fathers, (10) things were then much of a piece with what is going on now.
No, what is really marvellous is that the state, with the fact of so many
private persons growing wealthy at her expense, and under her very eyes,
Page 17
should have failed to imitate them. It is an old story, trite enough to those of
us who have cared to attend to it, how once on a time Nicias, the son of
Niceratus, owned a thousand men in the silver mines, (11) whom he let out
to Sosias, a Thracian, on the following terms. Sosias was to pay him a net
obol a day, without charge or deduction, for every slave of the thousand,
and be (12) responsible for keeping up the number perpetually at that
figure. So again Hipponicus (13) had six hundred slaves let out on the same
principle, which brought him in a net mina (14) a day without charge or
deduction. Then there was Philemonides, with three hundred, bringing him
in half a mina, and others, I make no doubt there were, making profits in
proportion to their respective resources and capital. (15) But there is no
need to revert to ancient history. At the present moment there are hundreds
of human beings in the mines let out on the same principle. (16) And given
that my proposal were carried into effect, the only novelty in it is that, just
as the individual in acquiring the ownership of a gang of slaves finds
himself at once provided with a permanent source of income, so the state, in
like fashion, should possess herself of a body of public slaves, to the
number, say, of three for every Athenian citizen. (17) As to the feasibility of
our proposals, I challenge any one whom it may concern to test the scheme
point by point, and to give his verdict.
(10) Reading {para ton pateron}, with Zurborg, after Wilamowitz-
Mollendorf.
(11) See "Mem." II. v. 2; Plut. "Nicias," 4; "Athen." vi. 272. See an
important criticism of Boeckh's view by Cornewall Lewis,
translation of "P. E. A." p. 675 foll.
(12) Reading {parekhein}, or if {pareikhen}, transl. "whilst he
himself kept up the number." See H. hagen in "Journ. Philol." x.
19, pp. 34-36; also Zurborg, "Comm." p. 28.
(13) Son of Callias.
(14) = L4:1:3 = 600 ob.
(15) Or, "whose incomes would vary in proportion to their working
capital."
(16) See Jebb, "Theophr." xxvi. 21.
(17) According to the ancient authorities the citizens of Athens
numbered about 21,000 at this date, which would give about 63,000
as the number of state-slaves contemplated for the purposes of the
scheme. See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 29. "At a census taken in B.C. 309
the number of slaves was returned at 400,000, and it does not seem
likely that there were fewer at any time during the classical
us who have cared to attend to it, how once on a time Nicias, the son of
Niceratus, owned a thousand men in the silver mines, (11) whom he let out
to Sosias, a Thracian, on the following terms. Sosias was to pay him a net
obol a day, without charge or deduction, for every slave of the thousand,
and be (12) responsible for keeping up the number perpetually at that
figure. So again Hipponicus (13) had six hundred slaves let out on the same
principle, which brought him in a net mina (14) a day without charge or
deduction. Then there was Philemonides, with three hundred, bringing him
in half a mina, and others, I make no doubt there were, making profits in
proportion to their respective resources and capital. (15) But there is no
need to revert to ancient history. At the present moment there are hundreds
of human beings in the mines let out on the same principle. (16) And given
that my proposal were carried into effect, the only novelty in it is that, just
as the individual in acquiring the ownership of a gang of slaves finds
himself at once provided with a permanent source of income, so the state, in
like fashion, should possess herself of a body of public slaves, to the
number, say, of three for every Athenian citizen. (17) As to the feasibility of
our proposals, I challenge any one whom it may concern to test the scheme
point by point, and to give his verdict.
(10) Reading {para ton pateron}, with Zurborg, after Wilamowitz-
Mollendorf.
(11) See "Mem." II. v. 2; Plut. "Nicias," 4; "Athen." vi. 272. See an
important criticism of Boeckh's view by Cornewall Lewis,
translation of "P. E. A." p. 675 foll.
(12) Reading {parekhein}, or if {pareikhen}, transl. "whilst he
himself kept up the number." See H. hagen in "Journ. Philol." x.
19, pp. 34-36; also Zurborg, "Comm." p. 28.
(13) Son of Callias.
(14) = L4:1:3 = 600 ob.
(15) Or, "whose incomes would vary in proportion to their working
capital."
(16) See Jebb, "Theophr." xxvi. 21.
(17) According to the ancient authorities the citizens of Athens
numbered about 21,000 at this date, which would give about 63,000
as the number of state-slaves contemplated for the purposes of the
scheme. See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 29. "At a census taken in B.C. 309
the number of slaves was returned at 400,000, and it does not seem
likely that there were fewer at any time during the classical
Page 18
period."—"A Companion to School Classics" (James Gow), p. 101,
xiii. "Population of Attica."
With regard to the price then of the men themselves, it is obvious that the
public treasury is in a better position to provide funds than any private
individuals. What can be easier than for the Council (18) to invite by public
proclamation all whom it may concern to bring their slaves, and to buy up
those produced? Assuming the purchase to be effected, is it credible that
people will hesitate to hire from the state rather than from the private
owner, and actually on the same terms? People have at all events no
hesitation at present in hiring consecrated grounds, sacred victims, (19)
houses, etc., or in purchasing the right of farming taxes from the state. To
ensure the preservation of the purchased property, the treasury can take the
same securities precisely from the lessee as it does from those who
purchase the right of farming its taxes. Indeed, fraudulent dealing is easier
on the part of the man who has purchased such a right than of the man who
hires slaves. Since it is not easy to see how the exportation (20) of public
money is to be detected, when it differs in no way from private money.
Whereas it will take a clever thief to make off with these slaves, marked as
they will be with the public stamp, and in face of a heavy penalty attached
at once to the sale and exportation of them. Up to this point then it would
appear feasible enough for the state to acquire property in men and to keep
a safe watch over them. (21)
(18) Or, "senate." See Aristot. "Athen. Pol." for the functions of the
Boule.
(19) So Zurborg. See Demosth. "in Mid." 570; Boeckh, "P. E. A." II.
xii. (p. 212, Eng. tr.) See Arnold's note to "Thuc." iii. 50, 7.
(20) Or, "diversation," "defalcation."
(21) Or, "as far as that goes, then, there is nothing apparently to
prevent the state from acquiring property in slaves, and
safeguarding the property so acquired."
But with reference to an opposite objection which may present itself to
the mind of some one: what guarantee is there that, along with the increase
in the supply of labourers, there will be a corresponding demand for their
services on the part of contractors? (22) It may be reassuring to note, first of
all, that many of those who have already embarked on mining operations
(23) will be anxious to increase their staff of labourers by hiring some of
these public slaves (remember, they have a large capital at stake; (24) and
xiii. "Population of Attica."
With regard to the price then of the men themselves, it is obvious that the
public treasury is in a better position to provide funds than any private
individuals. What can be easier than for the Council (18) to invite by public
proclamation all whom it may concern to bring their slaves, and to buy up
those produced? Assuming the purchase to be effected, is it credible that
people will hesitate to hire from the state rather than from the private
owner, and actually on the same terms? People have at all events no
hesitation at present in hiring consecrated grounds, sacred victims, (19)
houses, etc., or in purchasing the right of farming taxes from the state. To
ensure the preservation of the purchased property, the treasury can take the
same securities precisely from the lessee as it does from those who
purchase the right of farming its taxes. Indeed, fraudulent dealing is easier
on the part of the man who has purchased such a right than of the man who
hires slaves. Since it is not easy to see how the exportation (20) of public
money is to be detected, when it differs in no way from private money.
Whereas it will take a clever thief to make off with these slaves, marked as
they will be with the public stamp, and in face of a heavy penalty attached
at once to the sale and exportation of them. Up to this point then it would
appear feasible enough for the state to acquire property in men and to keep
a safe watch over them. (21)
(18) Or, "senate." See Aristot. "Athen. Pol." for the functions of the
Boule.
(19) So Zurborg. See Demosth. "in Mid." 570; Boeckh, "P. E. A." II.
xii. (p. 212, Eng. tr.) See Arnold's note to "Thuc." iii. 50, 7.
(20) Or, "diversation," "defalcation."
(21) Or, "as far as that goes, then, there is nothing apparently to
prevent the state from acquiring property in slaves, and
safeguarding the property so acquired."
But with reference to an opposite objection which may present itself to
the mind of some one: what guarantee is there that, along with the increase
in the supply of labourers, there will be a corresponding demand for their
services on the part of contractors? (22) It may be reassuring to note, first of
all, that many of those who have already embarked on mining operations
(23) will be anxious to increase their staff of labourers by hiring some of
these public slaves (remember, they have a large capital at stake; (24) and
Page 19
again, many of the actual labourers now engaged are growing old); and
secondly, there are many others, Athenians and foreigners alike, who,
though unwilling and indeed incapable of working physically in the mines,
will be glad enough to earn a livelihood by their wits as superintendents.
(25)
(22) Or, "with this influx (multiplying) of labourers there will be a
corresponding increase in the demand for labour on the part of the
lessees."
(23) Or, "got their mining establishments started."
(24) Or, "of course they will, considering the amount of fixed capital
at stake," or, "since they have large resources at their back." I
have adopted Zurborg's stopping of this sentence.
(25) See "Mem." II. viii. 1, for an illustrative case.
Let it be granted, however, that at first a nucleus of twelve hundred slaves
is formed. It is hardly too sanguine a supposition that out of the profits
alone, (26) within five or six years this number may be increased to at least
six thousand. Again, out of that number of six thousand—supposing each
slave to being in an obol a day clear of all expenses—we get a revenue of
sixty talents a year. And supposing twenty talents out of this sum laid out on
the purchase of more slaves, there will be forty talents left for the state to
apply to any other purpose it may find advisable. By the time the round
number (27) of ten thousand is reached the yearly income will amount to a
hundred talents.
(26) "Out of the income so derived."
(27) Or, "full complement."
As a matter of fact, the state will receive much more than these figures
represent, (28) as any one here will bear me witness who can remember
what the dues (29) derived from slaves realised before the troubles at
Decelea. (30) Testimony to the same effect is borne by the fact, that in spite
of the countless number of human beings employed in the silver mines
within the whole period, (31) the mines present exactly the same
appearance to-day as they did within the recollection of our forefathers.
(32) And once more everything that is taking place to-day tends to prove
that, whatever the number of slaves employed, you will never have more
than the works can easily absorb. The miners find no limit of depth in
secondly, there are many others, Athenians and foreigners alike, who,
though unwilling and indeed incapable of working physically in the mines,
will be glad enough to earn a livelihood by their wits as superintendents.
(25)
(22) Or, "with this influx (multiplying) of labourers there will be a
corresponding increase in the demand for labour on the part of the
lessees."
(23) Or, "got their mining establishments started."
(24) Or, "of course they will, considering the amount of fixed capital
at stake," or, "since they have large resources at their back." I
have adopted Zurborg's stopping of this sentence.
(25) See "Mem." II. viii. 1, for an illustrative case.
Let it be granted, however, that at first a nucleus of twelve hundred slaves
is formed. It is hardly too sanguine a supposition that out of the profits
alone, (26) within five or six years this number may be increased to at least
six thousand. Again, out of that number of six thousand—supposing each
slave to being in an obol a day clear of all expenses—we get a revenue of
sixty talents a year. And supposing twenty talents out of this sum laid out on
the purchase of more slaves, there will be forty talents left for the state to
apply to any other purpose it may find advisable. By the time the round
number (27) of ten thousand is reached the yearly income will amount to a
hundred talents.
(26) "Out of the income so derived."
(27) Or, "full complement."
As a matter of fact, the state will receive much more than these figures
represent, (28) as any one here will bear me witness who can remember
what the dues (29) derived from slaves realised before the troubles at
Decelea. (30) Testimony to the same effect is borne by the fact, that in spite
of the countless number of human beings employed in the silver mines
within the whole period, (31) the mines present exactly the same
appearance to-day as they did within the recollection of our forefathers.
(32) And once more everything that is taking place to-day tends to prove
that, whatever the number of slaves employed, you will never have more
than the works can easily absorb. The miners find no limit of depth in
Page 20
sinking shafts or laterally in piercing galleries. To open cuttings in new
directions to-day is just as possible as it was in former times. In fact no one
can take on himself to say whether there is more ore in the regions already
cut into, or in those where the pick has not yet struck. (33) Well then, it may
be asked, why is it that there is not the same rush to make new cuttings now
as in former times? The answer is, because the people concerned with the
mines are poorer nowadays. The attempt to restart operations, renew plant,
etc., is of recent date, and any one who ventures to open up a new area runs
a considerable risk. Supposing he hits upon a productive field, he becomes
a rich man, but supposing he draws a blank, he loses the whole of his
outlay; and that is a danger which people of the present time are shy of
facing.
(28) Or, "a very much larger sum than we have calculated on." Lit.
"many times over that sum."
(29) Or, "tax." See below, S. 49; for the whole matter see Thuc. vii.
27, vi. 91; Xen. "Mem." III. vi. 12, in reference to B.C. 413,
when Decelea had been fortified. As to the wholesale desertion of
slaves, "more than twenty thousand slaves had deserted, many of
them artisans," according to Thucydides.
(30) Or, "the days of Decelea." Lit. "the incidents of Decelea."
(31) I.e. "of their working since mining began."
(32) Lit. "are just the same to-day as our forefathers recollected
them to be in their time."
(33) Or, "whether the tracts already explored or those not yet opened
are the more prolific."
It is a difficulty, but it is one on which, I believe, I can offer some
practical advice. I have a plan to suggest which will reduce the risk of
opening up new cuttings to a minimum. (34)
(34) Or, "I have a plan to make the opening of new cuttings as safe as
possible."
The citizens of Athens are divided, as we all know, into ten tribes. Let the
state then assign to each of these ten tribes an equal number of slaves, and
let the tribes agree to associate their fortunes and proceed to open new
cuttings. What will happen? Any single tribe hitting upon a productive lode
will be the means of discovering what is advantageous to all. Or, supposing
two or three, or possibly the half of them, hit upon a lode, clearly these
several operations will proportionally be more remunerative still. That the
directions to-day is just as possible as it was in former times. In fact no one
can take on himself to say whether there is more ore in the regions already
cut into, or in those where the pick has not yet struck. (33) Well then, it may
be asked, why is it that there is not the same rush to make new cuttings now
as in former times? The answer is, because the people concerned with the
mines are poorer nowadays. The attempt to restart operations, renew plant,
etc., is of recent date, and any one who ventures to open up a new area runs
a considerable risk. Supposing he hits upon a productive field, he becomes
a rich man, but supposing he draws a blank, he loses the whole of his
outlay; and that is a danger which people of the present time are shy of
facing.
(28) Or, "a very much larger sum than we have calculated on." Lit.
"many times over that sum."
(29) Or, "tax." See below, S. 49; for the whole matter see Thuc. vii.
27, vi. 91; Xen. "Mem." III. vi. 12, in reference to B.C. 413,
when Decelea had been fortified. As to the wholesale desertion of
slaves, "more than twenty thousand slaves had deserted, many of
them artisans," according to Thucydides.
(30) Or, "the days of Decelea." Lit. "the incidents of Decelea."
(31) I.e. "of their working since mining began."
(32) Lit. "are just the same to-day as our forefathers recollected
them to be in their time."
(33) Or, "whether the tracts already explored or those not yet opened
are the more prolific."
It is a difficulty, but it is one on which, I believe, I can offer some
practical advice. I have a plan to suggest which will reduce the risk of
opening up new cuttings to a minimum. (34)
(34) Or, "I have a plan to make the opening of new cuttings as safe as
possible."
The citizens of Athens are divided, as we all know, into ten tribes. Let the
state then assign to each of these ten tribes an equal number of slaves, and
let the tribes agree to associate their fortunes and proceed to open new
cuttings. What will happen? Any single tribe hitting upon a productive lode
will be the means of discovering what is advantageous to all. Or, supposing
two or three, or possibly the half of them, hit upon a lode, clearly these
several operations will proportionally be more remunerative still. That the
Page 21
whole ten will fail is not at all in accordance with what we should expect
from the history of the past. It is possible, of course, for private persons to
combine in the same way, (35) and share their fortunes and minimise their
risks. Nor need you apprehend, sirs, that a state mining company,
established on this principle, will prove a thorn in the side (36) of the
private owner, or the private owner prove injurious to the state. But rather
like allies who render each other stronger the more they combine, (37) so in
these silver mines, the greater number of companies at work (38) the larger
the riches they will discover and disinter. (39)
(35) "To form similar joint-stock companies."
(36) See "Cyneg." v. 5.
(37) Or, "deriving strength from combination."
(38) Co-operators.
(39) Reading {ekphoresousi}, after Cobet.
This then is a statement, as far as I can make it clear, of the method by
which, with the proper state organisation, every Athenian may be supplied
with ample maintenance at the public expense. Possibly some of you may
be calculating that the capital (40) requisite will be enormous. They may
doubt if a sufficient sum will ever be subscribed to meet all the needs. All I
can say is, even so, do not despond. It is not as if it were necessary that
every feature of the scheme should be carried out at once, or else there is to
be no advantage in it at all. On the contrary, whatever number of houses are
erected, or ships are built, or slaves purchased, etc., these portions will
begin to pay at once. In fact, the bit-by-bit method of proceeding will be
more advantageous than a simultaneous carrying into effect of the whole
plan, to this extent: if we set about erecting buildings wholesale (41) we
shall make a more expensive and worse job of it than if we finish them off
gradually. Again, if we set about bidding for hundreds of slaves at once we
shall be forced to purchase an inferior type at a higher cost. Whereas, if we
proceed tentatively, as we find ourselves able, (42) we can complete any
well-devised attempt at our leisure, (43) and, in case of any obvious failure,
take warning and not repeat it. Again, if everything were to be carried out at
once, it is we, sirs, who must make the whole provision at our expense. (44)
Whereas, if part were proceeded with and part stood over, the portion of
revenue in hand will help to furnish what is necessary to go on with. But to
from the history of the past. It is possible, of course, for private persons to
combine in the same way, (35) and share their fortunes and minimise their
risks. Nor need you apprehend, sirs, that a state mining company,
established on this principle, will prove a thorn in the side (36) of the
private owner, or the private owner prove injurious to the state. But rather
like allies who render each other stronger the more they combine, (37) so in
these silver mines, the greater number of companies at work (38) the larger
the riches they will discover and disinter. (39)
(35) "To form similar joint-stock companies."
(36) See "Cyneg." v. 5.
(37) Or, "deriving strength from combination."
(38) Co-operators.
(39) Reading {ekphoresousi}, after Cobet.
This then is a statement, as far as I can make it clear, of the method by
which, with the proper state organisation, every Athenian may be supplied
with ample maintenance at the public expense. Possibly some of you may
be calculating that the capital (40) requisite will be enormous. They may
doubt if a sufficient sum will ever be subscribed to meet all the needs. All I
can say is, even so, do not despond. It is not as if it were necessary that
every feature of the scheme should be carried out at once, or else there is to
be no advantage in it at all. On the contrary, whatever number of houses are
erected, or ships are built, or slaves purchased, etc., these portions will
begin to pay at once. In fact, the bit-by-bit method of proceeding will be
more advantageous than a simultaneous carrying into effect of the whole
plan, to this extent: if we set about erecting buildings wholesale (41) we
shall make a more expensive and worse job of it than if we finish them off
gradually. Again, if we set about bidding for hundreds of slaves at once we
shall be forced to purchase an inferior type at a higher cost. Whereas, if we
proceed tentatively, as we find ourselves able, (42) we can complete any
well-devised attempt at our leisure, (43) and, in case of any obvious failure,
take warning and not repeat it. Again, if everything were to be carried out at
once, it is we, sirs, who must make the whole provision at our expense. (44)
Whereas, if part were proceeded with and part stood over, the portion of
revenue in hand will help to furnish what is necessary to go on with. But to
Page 22
come now to what every one probably will regard as a really grave danger,
lest the state may become possessed of an over large number of slaves, with
the result that the works will be overstocked. That again is an apprehension
which we may escape if we are careful not to put into the works more hands
from year to year than the works themselves demand. Thus (45) I am
persuaded that the easiest method of carrying out this scheme, as a whole, is
also the best. If, however, you are persuaded that, owing to the
extraordinary property taxes (46) to which you have been subjected during
the present war, you will not be equal to any further contributions at
present, (47) what you should do is this: (48) during the current year resolve
to carry on the financial administration of the state within the limits of a
sum equivalent to that which your dues (49) realised before the peace. That
done, you are at liberty to take any surplus sum, whether directly traceable
to the peace itself, or to the more courteous treatment of our resident aliens
and traders, or to the growth of the imports and exports, coincident with the
collecting together of larger masses of human beings, or to an augmentation
of harbour (50) and market dues: this surplus, I say, however derived, you
should take and invest (51) so as to bring in the greatest revenue. (52)
(40) Or, "sinking fund."
(41) {athrooi}—"in a body." It is a military phrase, I think. In
close order, as it were, not in detachments.
(42) "According to our ability," a favourite Socratic phrase.
(43) {authis}. See for this corrupt passage Zurborg, "Comm." p. 31. He
would insert, "and a little delay will not be prejudicial to our
interests, but rather the contrary," or to that effect, thus: {kai
authis an (anutoimen ou gar toiaute te anabole blaben genesthai
an) emin oiometha} "vel simile aliquid."
(44) Or, "it is we who must bear the whole burthen of the outlay."
(45) {outos}, "so far, unless I am mistaken, the easiest method is the
best."
(46) Or, "heavy contributions, subscriptions incidental to," but the
word {eisphoras} is technical. For the exhaustion of the treasury
see Dem. "Lept." 464; Grote, "H. G."xi. 326.
(47) Or, "you will not be able to subscribe a single penny more."
(48) {umeis de}, you are masters of the situation. It lies with you to
carry on, etc.; {dioikeite} is of course imperative.
(49) Or, "taxes."
(50) Reading, after Zurborg, {dia ta ellimenia}. Or, if the vulg. {dia
lest the state may become possessed of an over large number of slaves, with
the result that the works will be overstocked. That again is an apprehension
which we may escape if we are careful not to put into the works more hands
from year to year than the works themselves demand. Thus (45) I am
persuaded that the easiest method of carrying out this scheme, as a whole, is
also the best. If, however, you are persuaded that, owing to the
extraordinary property taxes (46) to which you have been subjected during
the present war, you will not be equal to any further contributions at
present, (47) what you should do is this: (48) during the current year resolve
to carry on the financial administration of the state within the limits of a
sum equivalent to that which your dues (49) realised before the peace. That
done, you are at liberty to take any surplus sum, whether directly traceable
to the peace itself, or to the more courteous treatment of our resident aliens
and traders, or to the growth of the imports and exports, coincident with the
collecting together of larger masses of human beings, or to an augmentation
of harbour (50) and market dues: this surplus, I say, however derived, you
should take and invest (51) so as to bring in the greatest revenue. (52)
(40) Or, "sinking fund."
(41) {athrooi}—"in a body." It is a military phrase, I think. In
close order, as it were, not in detachments.
(42) "According to our ability," a favourite Socratic phrase.
(43) {authis}. See for this corrupt passage Zurborg, "Comm." p. 31. He
would insert, "and a little delay will not be prejudicial to our
interests, but rather the contrary," or to that effect, thus: {kai
authis an (anutoimen ou gar toiaute te anabole blaben genesthai
an) emin oiometha} "vel simile aliquid."
(44) Or, "it is we who must bear the whole burthen of the outlay."
(45) {outos}, "so far, unless I am mistaken, the easiest method is the
best."
(46) Or, "heavy contributions, subscriptions incidental to," but the
word {eisphoras} is technical. For the exhaustion of the treasury
see Dem. "Lept." 464; Grote, "H. G."xi. 326.
(47) Or, "you will not be able to subscribe a single penny more."
(48) {umeis de}, you are masters of the situation. It lies with you to
carry on, etc.; {dioikeite} is of course imperative.
(49) Or, "taxes."
(50) Reading, after Zurborg, {dia ta ellimenia}. Or, if the vulg. {dia
Page 23
en limeni}, transl. "an augmentation of market dues at Piraeus."
(51) I.e. as fixed capital, or, "you should expend on plant."
(52) Or, adopting Zurborg's emend, {os an pleista eggignetai}, transl.
"for the purposes of the present scheme as far as it may be
available."
Again, if there is an apprehension on the part of any that the whole
scheme (53) will crumble into nothing on the first outbreak of war, I would
only beg these alarmists to note that, under the condition of things which
we propose to bring about, war will have more terrors for the attacking
party than for this state. Since what possession I should like to know can be
more serviceable for war than that of men? Think of the many ships which
they will be capable of manning on public service. Think of the number
who will serve on land as infantry (in the public service) and will bear hard
upon the enemy. Only we must treat them with courtesy. (54) For myself,
my calculation is, that even in the event of war we shall be quite able to
keep a firm hold of the silver mines. I may take it, we have in the
neighbourhood of the mines certain fortresses—one on the southern slope
in Anaphlystus; (55) and we have another on the northern side in Thoricus,
the two being about seven and a half miles (56) apart. Suppose then a third
breastwork were to be placed between these, on the highest point of Besa,
that would enable the operatives to collect into one out of all the fortresses,
and at the first perception of a hostile movement it would only be a short
distance for each to retire into safety. (57) In the event of an enemy
advancing in large numbers they might certainly make off with whatever
corn or wine or cattle they found outside. But even if they did get hold of
the silver ore, it would be little better to them than a heap of stones. (58)
But how is an enemy ever to march upon the mines in force? The nearest
state, Megara, is distant, I take it, a good deal over sixty miles; (59) and the
next closest, Thebes, a good deal nearer seventy. (60) Supposing then an
enemy to advance from some such point to attack the mines, he cannot
avoid passing Athens; and presuming his force to be small, we may expect
him to be annihilated by our cavalry and frontier police. (61) I say,
presuming his force to be small, since to march with anything like a large
force, and thereby leave his own territory denuded of troops, would be a
startling achievement. Why, the fortified city of Athens will be much closer
the states of the attacking parties than they themselves will be by the time
they have got to the mines. But, for the sake of argument, let us suppose an
(51) I.e. as fixed capital, or, "you should expend on plant."
(52) Or, adopting Zurborg's emend, {os an pleista eggignetai}, transl.
"for the purposes of the present scheme as far as it may be
available."
Again, if there is an apprehension on the part of any that the whole
scheme (53) will crumble into nothing on the first outbreak of war, I would
only beg these alarmists to note that, under the condition of things which
we propose to bring about, war will have more terrors for the attacking
party than for this state. Since what possession I should like to know can be
more serviceable for war than that of men? Think of the many ships which
they will be capable of manning on public service. Think of the number
who will serve on land as infantry (in the public service) and will bear hard
upon the enemy. Only we must treat them with courtesy. (54) For myself,
my calculation is, that even in the event of war we shall be quite able to
keep a firm hold of the silver mines. I may take it, we have in the
neighbourhood of the mines certain fortresses—one on the southern slope
in Anaphlystus; (55) and we have another on the northern side in Thoricus,
the two being about seven and a half miles (56) apart. Suppose then a third
breastwork were to be placed between these, on the highest point of Besa,
that would enable the operatives to collect into one out of all the fortresses,
and at the first perception of a hostile movement it would only be a short
distance for each to retire into safety. (57) In the event of an enemy
advancing in large numbers they might certainly make off with whatever
corn or wine or cattle they found outside. But even if they did get hold of
the silver ore, it would be little better to them than a heap of stones. (58)
But how is an enemy ever to march upon the mines in force? The nearest
state, Megara, is distant, I take it, a good deal over sixty miles; (59) and the
next closest, Thebes, a good deal nearer seventy. (60) Supposing then an
enemy to advance from some such point to attack the mines, he cannot
avoid passing Athens; and presuming his force to be small, we may expect
him to be annihilated by our cavalry and frontier police. (61) I say,
presuming his force to be small, since to march with anything like a large
force, and thereby leave his own territory denuded of troops, would be a
startling achievement. Why, the fortified city of Athens will be much closer
the states of the attacking parties than they themselves will be by the time
they have got to the mines. But, for the sake of argument, let us suppose an
Page 24
enemy to have arrived in the neighbourhood of Laurium; how is he going to
stop there without provisions? To go out in search of supplies with a
detachment of his force would imply risk, both for the foraging party and
for those who have to do the fighting; (62) whilst, if they are driven to do so
in force each time, they may call themselves besiegers, but they will be
practically in a state of siege themselves.
(53) Or, "the proposed organisation."
(54) See ch. ii. above.
(55) Or, reading {en te pros mesembrian thalatte}, "on the southern
Sea." For Anaphlystus see "Hell." I. ii. 1; "Mem." III. v. 25. It
was Eubulus's deme, the leading statesman at this date.
(56) Lit. "60 stades."
(57) The passage {sunekoi t an erga}, etc., is probably corrupt. {Ta
erga} seems to mean "the operatives;" cf. Latin "operae." Others
take it of "the works themselves." Possibly it may refer to
military works connecting the three fortresses named. "There might
be a system of converging (works or) lines drawn to a single point
from all the fortresses, and at the first sign of any thing
hostile," etc.
(58) I.e. "they might as well try to carry off so many tons of stone."
(59) Lit. "500 stades."
(60) Lit. "more than 600 stades."
(61) The {peripoloi}, or horse patrol to guard the frontier. See Thuc.
iv. 57, viii. 92; Arist. "Birds,"ii. 76. Young Athenians between
eighteen and twenty were eligible for the service.
(62) Or, "for the very object of the contest." The construction is in
any case unusual. {peri on agonizontai} = {peri touton oi}.
Zurborg suggests {peri ton agonizomenon}.
But it is not the income (63) derived from the slaves alone to which we
look to help the state towards the effective maintenance of her citizens, but
with the growth and concentration of a thick population in the mining
district various sources of revenue will accrue, whether from the market at
Sunium, or from the various state buildings in connection with the silver
mines, from furnaces and all the rest. Since we must expect a thickly
populated city to spring up here, if organised in the way proposed, and plots
of land will become as valuable to owners out there as they are to those who
possess them in the neighbourhood of the capital.
(63) I adopt Zurborg's correction, {prosphora} for {eisphora}, as
stop there without provisions? To go out in search of supplies with a
detachment of his force would imply risk, both for the foraging party and
for those who have to do the fighting; (62) whilst, if they are driven to do so
in force each time, they may call themselves besiegers, but they will be
practically in a state of siege themselves.
(53) Or, "the proposed organisation."
(54) See ch. ii. above.
(55) Or, reading {en te pros mesembrian thalatte}, "on the southern
Sea." For Anaphlystus see "Hell." I. ii. 1; "Mem." III. v. 25. It
was Eubulus's deme, the leading statesman at this date.
(56) Lit. "60 stades."
(57) The passage {sunekoi t an erga}, etc., is probably corrupt. {Ta
erga} seems to mean "the operatives;" cf. Latin "operae." Others
take it of "the works themselves." Possibly it may refer to
military works connecting the three fortresses named. "There might
be a system of converging (works or) lines drawn to a single point
from all the fortresses, and at the first sign of any thing
hostile," etc.
(58) I.e. "they might as well try to carry off so many tons of stone."
(59) Lit. "500 stades."
(60) Lit. "more than 600 stades."
(61) The {peripoloi}, or horse patrol to guard the frontier. See Thuc.
iv. 57, viii. 92; Arist. "Birds,"ii. 76. Young Athenians between
eighteen and twenty were eligible for the service.
(62) Or, "for the very object of the contest." The construction is in
any case unusual. {peri on agonizontai} = {peri touton oi}.
Zurborg suggests {peri ton agonizomenon}.
But it is not the income (63) derived from the slaves alone to which we
look to help the state towards the effective maintenance of her citizens, but
with the growth and concentration of a thick population in the mining
district various sources of revenue will accrue, whether from the market at
Sunium, or from the various state buildings in connection with the silver
mines, from furnaces and all the rest. Since we must expect a thickly
populated city to spring up here, if organised in the way proposed, and plots
of land will become as valuable to owners out there as they are to those who
possess them in the neighbourhood of the capital.
(63) I adopt Zurborg's correction, {prosphora} for {eisphora}, as
Page 25
obviously right. See above, iv. 23.
If, at this point, I may assume my proposals to have been carried into
effect, I think I can promise, not only that our city shall be relieved from a
financial strain, but that she shall make a great stride in orderliness and in
tactical organisation, she shall grow in martial spirit and readiness for war. I
anticipate that those who are under orders to go through gymnastic training
will devote themselves with a new zeal to the details of the training school,
now that they will receive a larger maintenance whilst (64) under the orders
of the trainer in the torch race. So again those on garrison duty in the
various fortresses, those enrolled as peltasts, or again as frontier police to
protect the rural districts, one and all will carry out their respective duties
more ardently when the maintenance (64) appropriate to these several
functions is duly forthcoming.
(64) I follow Zurborg in omitting {e}. If {e} is to stand, transl.
"than they get whilst supplied by the gymnasiarch in the torch
race," or "whilst exercising the office of gymnasiarchs
themselves." See "Pol. Ath." i. 13.
(65) "State aid."
V
But now, if it is evident that, in order to get the full benefit of all these
sources of revenue, (1) peace is an indispensable condition—if that is plain,
I say, the question suggests itself, would it not be worth while to appoint a
board to act as guardians of peace? Since no doubt the election of such a
magistracy would enhance the charm of this city in the eyes of the whole
world, and add largely to the number of our visitors. But if any one is
disposed to take the view, that by adopting a persistent peace policy, (2) this
city will be shorn of her power, that her glory will dwindle and her good
name be forgotten throughout the length and breadth of Hellas, the view so
taken by our friends here (3) is in my poor judgment somewhat
unreasonable. For they are surely the happy states, they, in popular
language, are most fortune-favoured, which endure in peace the longest
season. And of all states Athens is pre-eminently adapted by nature to
flourish and wax strong in peace. The while she abides in peace she cannot
fail to exercise an attractive force on all. From the mariner and the merchant
upwards, all seek her, flocking they come; the wealthy dealers in corn and
wine (4) and oil, the owner of many cattle. And not these only, but the man
If, at this point, I may assume my proposals to have been carried into
effect, I think I can promise, not only that our city shall be relieved from a
financial strain, but that she shall make a great stride in orderliness and in
tactical organisation, she shall grow in martial spirit and readiness for war. I
anticipate that those who are under orders to go through gymnastic training
will devote themselves with a new zeal to the details of the training school,
now that they will receive a larger maintenance whilst (64) under the orders
of the trainer in the torch race. So again those on garrison duty in the
various fortresses, those enrolled as peltasts, or again as frontier police to
protect the rural districts, one and all will carry out their respective duties
more ardently when the maintenance (64) appropriate to these several
functions is duly forthcoming.
(64) I follow Zurborg in omitting {e}. If {e} is to stand, transl.
"than they get whilst supplied by the gymnasiarch in the torch
race," or "whilst exercising the office of gymnasiarchs
themselves." See "Pol. Ath." i. 13.
(65) "State aid."
V
But now, if it is evident that, in order to get the full benefit of all these
sources of revenue, (1) peace is an indispensable condition—if that is plain,
I say, the question suggests itself, would it not be worth while to appoint a
board to act as guardians of peace? Since no doubt the election of such a
magistracy would enhance the charm of this city in the eyes of the whole
world, and add largely to the number of our visitors. But if any one is
disposed to take the view, that by adopting a persistent peace policy, (2) this
city will be shorn of her power, that her glory will dwindle and her good
name be forgotten throughout the length and breadth of Hellas, the view so
taken by our friends here (3) is in my poor judgment somewhat
unreasonable. For they are surely the happy states, they, in popular
language, are most fortune-favoured, which endure in peace the longest
season. And of all states Athens is pre-eminently adapted by nature to
flourish and wax strong in peace. The while she abides in peace she cannot
fail to exercise an attractive force on all. From the mariner and the merchant
upwards, all seek her, flocking they come; the wealthy dealers in corn and
wine (4) and oil, the owner of many cattle. And not these only, but the man
Page 26
who depends upon his wits, whose skill it is to do business and make gain
out of money (5) and its employment. And here another crowd, artificers of
all sorts, artists and artisans, professors of wisdom, (6) philosophers, and
poets, with those who exhibit and popularise their works. (7) And next a
new train of pleasure-seekers, eager to feast on everything sacred or secular,
(8) which may captivate and charm eye and ear. Or once again, where are
all those who seek to effect a rapid sale or purchase of a thousand
commodities, to find what they want, if not at Athens?
(1) Or, "to set these several sources of revenue flowing in full
stream."
(2) Cf. "a policy of peace at any price," or, "by persisting for any
length of time in the enjoyment of peace."
(3) {kai outoi ge}. The speaker waves his hand to the quarter of the
house where the anti-peace party is seated.
(4) After Zurborg, I omit {oukh oi eduoinoi}.
(5) Reading {kai ap arguriou}, with Zurborg.
(6) Lit. "Sophists." See Grote, "H. G." viii. lxvii. note, p. 497.
(7) E.g. chorus-trainers, musicians, grammarians, rhapsodists, and
actors.
(8) Or, "sacred and profane."
But if there is no desire to gainsay these views—only that certain people,
in their wish to recover that headship (9) which was once the pride of our
city, are persuaded that the accomplishment of their hopes is to be found,
not in peace but in war, I beg them to reflect on some matters of history, and
to begin at the beginning, (10) the Median war. Was it by high-handed
violence, or as benefactors of the Hellenes, that we obtained the headship of
the naval forces, and the trusteeship of the treasury of Hellas? (11) Again,
when through the too cruel exercise of her presidency, as men thought,
Athens was deprived of her empire, is it not the case that even in those
days, (12) as soon as we held aloof from injustice we were once more
reinstated by the islanders, of their own free will, as presidents of the naval
force? Nay, did not the very Thebans, in return for certain benefits, grant to
us Athenians to exercise leadership over them? (13) And at another date the
Lacedaemonans suffered us Athenians to arrange the terms of hegemony
(14) at our discretion, not as driven to such submission, but in requital of
kindly treatment. And to-day, owing to the chaos (15) which reigns in
out of money (5) and its employment. And here another crowd, artificers of
all sorts, artists and artisans, professors of wisdom, (6) philosophers, and
poets, with those who exhibit and popularise their works. (7) And next a
new train of pleasure-seekers, eager to feast on everything sacred or secular,
(8) which may captivate and charm eye and ear. Or once again, where are
all those who seek to effect a rapid sale or purchase of a thousand
commodities, to find what they want, if not at Athens?
(1) Or, "to set these several sources of revenue flowing in full
stream."
(2) Cf. "a policy of peace at any price," or, "by persisting for any
length of time in the enjoyment of peace."
(3) {kai outoi ge}. The speaker waves his hand to the quarter of the
house where the anti-peace party is seated.
(4) After Zurborg, I omit {oukh oi eduoinoi}.
(5) Reading {kai ap arguriou}, with Zurborg.
(6) Lit. "Sophists." See Grote, "H. G." viii. lxvii. note, p. 497.
(7) E.g. chorus-trainers, musicians, grammarians, rhapsodists, and
actors.
(8) Or, "sacred and profane."
But if there is no desire to gainsay these views—only that certain people,
in their wish to recover that headship (9) which was once the pride of our
city, are persuaded that the accomplishment of their hopes is to be found,
not in peace but in war, I beg them to reflect on some matters of history, and
to begin at the beginning, (10) the Median war. Was it by high-handed
violence, or as benefactors of the Hellenes, that we obtained the headship of
the naval forces, and the trusteeship of the treasury of Hellas? (11) Again,
when through the too cruel exercise of her presidency, as men thought,
Athens was deprived of her empire, is it not the case that even in those
days, (12) as soon as we held aloof from injustice we were once more
reinstated by the islanders, of their own free will, as presidents of the naval
force? Nay, did not the very Thebans, in return for certain benefits, grant to
us Athenians to exercise leadership over them? (13) And at another date the
Lacedaemonans suffered us Athenians to arrange the terms of hegemony
(14) at our discretion, not as driven to such submission, but in requital of
kindly treatment. And to-day, owing to the chaos (15) which reigns in
Page 27
Hellas, if I mistake not, an opportunity has fallen to this city of winning
back our fellow-Hellenes without pain or peril or expense of any sort. It is
given to us to try and harmonise states which are at war with one another: it
is given to us to reconcile the differences of rival factions within those
states themselves, wherever existing.
(9) Lit. "her hegemony for the city," B.C. 476.
(10) "And first of all."
(11) See Thuc. i. 96.
(12) B.C. 378. Second confederacy of Delos. See Grote, "H. G." x. 152.
(13) B.C. 375. Cf. "Hell." V. iv. 62; Grote, "H. G." x. 139; Isocr.
"Or." xiv. 20; Diod. Sic. xv. 29.
(14) B.C. 369 (al. B.C. 368). Cf. "Hell." VII. i. 14.
(15) See "Hell."VII. v. 27.
Make it but evident that we are minded to preserve the independence (16)
of the Delphic shrine in its primitive integrity, not by joining in any war but
by the moral force of embassies throughout the length and breadth of Hellas
—and I for one shall not be astonished if you find our brother Hellenes of
one sentiment and eager under seal of solemn oaths (17) to proceed against
those, whoever they may be, who shall seek (18) to step into the place
vacated by the Phocians and to occupy the sacred shrine. Make it but
evident that you intend to establish a general peace by land and sea, and, if I
mistake not, your efforts will find a response in the hearts of all. There is no
man but will pray for the salvation of Athens next to that of his own
fatherland.
(16) "Autonomy."
(17) See Thuc. v. 18, clause 2 of the Treaty of Peace, B.C. 422-421.
(18) Reading, with Zurborg, {peironto}. Or, if the vulgate
{epeironto}, transl. "against those who sought to step."
Again, is any one persuaded that, looking solely to riches and money-
making, the state may find war more profitable than peace? If so, I cannot
conceive a better method to decide that question than to allow the mind to
revert (19) to the past history of the state and to note well the sequence of
events. He will discover that in times long gone by during a period of peace
vast wealth was stored up in the acropolis, the whole of which was lavishly
back our fellow-Hellenes without pain or peril or expense of any sort. It is
given to us to try and harmonise states which are at war with one another: it
is given to us to reconcile the differences of rival factions within those
states themselves, wherever existing.
(9) Lit. "her hegemony for the city," B.C. 476.
(10) "And first of all."
(11) See Thuc. i. 96.
(12) B.C. 378. Second confederacy of Delos. See Grote, "H. G." x. 152.
(13) B.C. 375. Cf. "Hell." V. iv. 62; Grote, "H. G." x. 139; Isocr.
"Or." xiv. 20; Diod. Sic. xv. 29.
(14) B.C. 369 (al. B.C. 368). Cf. "Hell." VII. i. 14.
(15) See "Hell."VII. v. 27.
Make it but evident that we are minded to preserve the independence (16)
of the Delphic shrine in its primitive integrity, not by joining in any war but
by the moral force of embassies throughout the length and breadth of Hellas
—and I for one shall not be astonished if you find our brother Hellenes of
one sentiment and eager under seal of solemn oaths (17) to proceed against
those, whoever they may be, who shall seek (18) to step into the place
vacated by the Phocians and to occupy the sacred shrine. Make it but
evident that you intend to establish a general peace by land and sea, and, if I
mistake not, your efforts will find a response in the hearts of all. There is no
man but will pray for the salvation of Athens next to that of his own
fatherland.
(16) "Autonomy."
(17) See Thuc. v. 18, clause 2 of the Treaty of Peace, B.C. 422-421.
(18) Reading, with Zurborg, {peironto}. Or, if the vulgate
{epeironto}, transl. "against those who sought to step."
Again, is any one persuaded that, looking solely to riches and money-
making, the state may find war more profitable than peace? If so, I cannot
conceive a better method to decide that question than to allow the mind to
revert (19) to the past history of the state and to note well the sequence of
events. He will discover that in times long gone by during a period of peace
vast wealth was stored up in the acropolis, the whole of which was lavishly
Page 28
expended during a subsequent period of war. He will perceive, if he
examines closely, that even at the present time we are suffering from its ill
effects. Countless sources of revenue have failed, or if they have still
flowed in, been lavishly expended on a multiplicity of things. Whereas, (20)
now that peace is established by sea, our revenues have expanded and the
citizens of Athens have it in their power to turn these to account as they like
best.
(19) Reading {epanoskopoin}.
(20) Or, "But the moment peace has been restored."
But if you turn on me with the question, "Do you really mean that even in
the event of unjust attacks upon our city on the part of any, we are still
resolutely to observe peace towards that offender?" I answer distinctly, No!
But, on the contrary, I maintain that we shall all the more promptly retaliate
on such aggression in proportion as we have done no wrong to any one
ourselves. Since that will be to rob the aggressor of his allies. (21)
(21) Reading, after Cobet, {ei medena uparkhoimen adikountes}. Or, if
the vulgate {ei medena parakhoimen adikounta}, transl. "if we can
show complete innocence on our own side."
VI
But now, if none of these proposals be impracticable or even difficult of
execution; if rather by giving them effect we may conciliate further the
friendship of Hellas, whilst we strengthen our own administration and
increase our fame; if by the same means the people shall be provided with
the necessaries of life, and our rich men be relieved of expenditure on war;
if with the large surplus to be counted on, we are in a position to conduct
our festivals on an even grander scale than heretofore, to restore our
temples, to rebuild our forts and docks, and to reinstate in their ancient
privileges our priests, our senators, our magistrates, and our knights—
surely it were but reasonable to enter upon this project speedily, so that we
too, even in our own day, may witness the unclouded dawn of prosperity in
store for our city.
But if you are agreed to carry out this plan, there is one further counsel
which I would urge upon you. Send to Dodona and to Delphi, I would beg
you, and consult the will of Heaven whether such a provision and such a
policy on our part be truly to the interest of Athens both for the present and
examines closely, that even at the present time we are suffering from its ill
effects. Countless sources of revenue have failed, or if they have still
flowed in, been lavishly expended on a multiplicity of things. Whereas, (20)
now that peace is established by sea, our revenues have expanded and the
citizens of Athens have it in their power to turn these to account as they like
best.
(19) Reading {epanoskopoin}.
(20) Or, "But the moment peace has been restored."
But if you turn on me with the question, "Do you really mean that even in
the event of unjust attacks upon our city on the part of any, we are still
resolutely to observe peace towards that offender?" I answer distinctly, No!
But, on the contrary, I maintain that we shall all the more promptly retaliate
on such aggression in proportion as we have done no wrong to any one
ourselves. Since that will be to rob the aggressor of his allies. (21)
(21) Reading, after Cobet, {ei medena uparkhoimen adikountes}. Or, if
the vulgate {ei medena parakhoimen adikounta}, transl. "if we can
show complete innocence on our own side."
VI
But now, if none of these proposals be impracticable or even difficult of
execution; if rather by giving them effect we may conciliate further the
friendship of Hellas, whilst we strengthen our own administration and
increase our fame; if by the same means the people shall be provided with
the necessaries of life, and our rich men be relieved of expenditure on war;
if with the large surplus to be counted on, we are in a position to conduct
our festivals on an even grander scale than heretofore, to restore our
temples, to rebuild our forts and docks, and to reinstate in their ancient
privileges our priests, our senators, our magistrates, and our knights—
surely it were but reasonable to enter upon this project speedily, so that we
too, even in our own day, may witness the unclouded dawn of prosperity in
store for our city.
But if you are agreed to carry out this plan, there is one further counsel
which I would urge upon you. Send to Dodona and to Delphi, I would beg
you, and consult the will of Heaven whether such a provision and such a
policy on our part be truly to the interest of Athens both for the present and
Page 29
for the time to come. If the consent of Heaven be thus obtained, we ought
then, I say, to put a further question: whose special favour among the gods
shall we seek to secure with a view to the happier execution of these
measures?
And in accordance with that answer, let us offer a sacrifice of happy
omen to the deities so named, and commence the work; since if these
transactions be so carried out with the will of God, have we not the right to
prognosticate some further advance in the path of political progress for this
whole state?
then, I say, to put a further question: whose special favour among the gods
shall we seek to secure with a view to the happier execution of these
measures?
And in accordance with that answer, let us offer a sacrifice of happy
omen to the deities so named, and commence the work; since if these
transactions be so carried out with the will of God, have we not the right to
prognosticate some further advance in the path of political progress for this
whole state?
Page 30
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