3D Gallery Exhibition of Sources (Economic Exchange in Society in the Time of Pericles): 3D Gallery

Archaeological Ruins of the Athenian Agora – Trade

This source is a photo of the archaeological ruins of the Athenian Agora, which can be found in Athens, Greece. In society in the time of Pericles, the Agora’s purpose was to act as Athens’ main marketplace, for the facilitation of trade. It was also home to the Athenian mint, which was significant for the creation of coins, (which became the main form of currency), hence it served as the foundation of the economy in Athens. Trade was imperative to the Greeks, as it was the main way in which they generated wealth, and it allowed the empire to become prosperous as a result of it.

This source evidences economic exchange in this time through the size of the Agora, as the span of its remains demonstrates the large area in which it covered, highlighting its importance to the economy of Athens. Further, the importance of economic exchange is again evidenced, as the Agora was positioned beneath the Temple of Hephaestus (pictured in the background of the photo), which was also dedicated to Athena. As Gods were at the centre of most Greeks lives in this society, the positioning of the marketplace near such a highly valued religious space, meant that economic exchange was highly valued and also essential to Athens. Therefore, this image evidences that the Gods were relied on to protect Athens’ economy and that paying this sort of respect to them, would allow for further prosperity and a healthy economy.

Quote about the Agora from a Poem by Ancient Comedian Euboulos – Trade

This source is from a poem by the ancient comedian Euboulos. In the source, he refers to the Agora as, “one and the same place,” which was the main marketplace for trade in Athens.

Whilst Euboulos also provides insight into other key societal aspects that were based within the Agora, (such as legal centres and administration hubs), he evidences the range of goods that could be found and traded at this marketplace, (such as food, flowers and items for the home). Euboulos makes numerous references to agricultural goods, especially food in this quote and therefore evidences not only the variety of food that was traded throughout the empire, but also communicates that food was one of the main traded goods, hence it was a major contributor to the economic exchange in Athens.

Small Fragment of an Athenian Tribute List from 448/447 BC (located in the British Museum) – Tribute

This source is a small fragment that was a part of an Athenian Tribute List from 448/447 BC and is now located in the British Museum. It can be linked to the tributes collected for both the Delian League and Pericles’s Foreign Policy. These tribute lists acted as record of the Phoros contributed by the members of the Delian League and each ally payment, was recorded by the Hellenotamiai, onto these lists.

This source provides evidence about the contribution of tribute in the economic exchange in Athens, as it lists some of the sums that were received by the Athenian treasury, as well the portion of these sums that were dedicated to Athena. Furthermore, this fragment is made of a high-quality marble, called crystalline mica, which emphasises the money invested into the construction and maintenance of these lists, hence tribute importance to economic exchange is highlighted. In correspondence, this source evidences that these lists were a key way in which Athens funded the construction of city features and their navy, as they were inscribed with the area that certain Phoros would be allocated to.

Quote Regarding Pericles Building Program by Plutarch – Tribute

This source is from Plutarch, who refers to the contribution of tribute to the economic exchange in Athens.

Plutarch refers to Pericles using tributes to fund his building Program, which incorporated major religious features, such as the Temple of Athena. Through this, Plutarch evidences the role that tribute played in the economic exchange of Athens, in that he funded the construction of buildings that were central to the belief of the Greeks. Moreover, he reveals that it “created full employment and an economic boom in the polis, “which evidences again, the major role that tribute played in allowing Athens’ economy to remain stable, but also grow.

Quote about Sea Trade by Maxwell K. Boots (who holds a Bachelor in Science, Doctorate of Philosophy and an Honours Degree in History) – Shipping

This source is from Maxwell K. Boots, who refers to the importance of trade by sea and food imports to Athens.

This source evidences the importance of sea commerce and shipping to the economic exchange in Athens. Boots also highlights that Athens relied heavily on food imports, which was due to the city’s mountainous terrain/lack of land to harvest crops and therefore he reinforces this importance of shipping to the economic exchange in Athens.

Quote about Tax on Trading by Darel T. Engen (who is an Economic Specialist for the Department of History, at California State University San Marcos). – Shipping

This source is from Darel T. Engen, who refers to the 2% tax (pentekoste), that was placed on the imports and exports, at the Piraeus (main Athenian Sea Port).

This source provides evidence about the economic exchange in Athens at this time, as the tax placed on all goods, would have contributed to Athens’ overall wealth. Moreover, as all traders were required to pay it, increased trade would have been encouraged, as Athens would receive these benefits.

Quote by Chryssa Papathanassiou (a member of the European Central Bank) on the Speech of Demosthenes about Leasing Out Silver Mines – Silver Mines

This source is from Chryssa Papathanassiou, who refers to a speech by Demosthenes, about the leasing of silver mines at Laurion and the rights of entrepreneurs.

As mining rights were leased out by the polis to these wealthy individuals, economic exchange is evidenced, as Athens was able to use the payments from the leases, to implement the coinage decree and fund Athenian institutions. As Demosthenes also discusses the complex financial process of gaining this credit, the importance of this being done properly to ensure no error and correct payment is evidenced.

Quote about Silver Mining by Maxwell K. Boots (who holds a Bachelor in Science, Doctorate of Philosophy and an Honours Degree in History) – Silver Mines

This source is from Maxwell K. Boots, who refers to Athens being financed by the silver mines, especially the one located at Laurion. He also provides insight into the amount of silver that was being produced annually, by this mine.

This source evidences that the Laurion silver mine was essential to Athens’ economy and that Athens would not have had the amount of wealth and therefore its amount of power, without the economic contribution of the mine. Furthermore, Maxwell evidences the amount of silver that was being produced each year (up to one million ounces), which not only provides insight into the production process and people involved in mining in this time, but alludes to the amount of wealth that was generated from these mines and then fed into “the rebuilding of Athens” and its navy.

Athenian Tetradrachm (main form of Athenian currency in this society) – Coinage

This source is an Athenian Tetradrachm and was the main forms of Athenian currency in this society. Pictured on the front of the coin is Athena (patron saint of Athens) and on the back, an Attic owl (to represent the wisdom of Athena). Each coin was made out of silver, and these were imposed through the ‘Standards Decree,’ which meant that all allies of the Delian League had to use Athenian coinage by law, with the exemption of Sparta. The coin was also highly valued for its silver material and due to the weights and measures imposed by the Standards Decree, it allowed for efficient and reliable economic transactions.

This source evidences economic exchange in Athens, as it was a widely accepted currency, that therefore facilitated economic transactions between traders. This source also evidences that the coins were considered to be reliable in economic exchange, as they were made form silver.

Quote by Xenophon about the Role of the Mint of Athens – Coinage

This source is from Xenophon from his writing in ‘The Economics. In this source, he refers to the geography of the mint and its role in producing coins. Xenophon also reinforces the responsibility of the mint to create the standardised currency, but to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the Athenian coins, as they would be used for trade and commerce.

This source evidences the importance of the Athenian Mint in producing coinage for Athenian currency and hence economic exchange, through its location. As the Mint was located near the Panathenaic Way, it was always guarded.

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3D Gallery Exhibition of Sources (Economic Exchange in Society in the Time of Pericles)