Economy

Question 1

The Finley Model

Answer 1

Greek ‘economy’ a product of a system that emphasised the wellbeing of the community over the individual
No specific economic goals
Agriculture and necessary goods for consumption mainly valued

Question 2

Attitudes to work

Answer 2

Self sufficiency ideal
Work never positive on its own
Negative view of manual labour except for agriculture

Question 3

agriculture characteristics

Answer 3

Rich Athenians tended to own several properties
Rich Athenians often produced surplus
Slave labour important

Question 4

Manufacturing

Answer 4

Large scale manufacturing virtually non existent
Focus on specialisation rather than large scale production - 500 potters in 5th cent

Question 5

Trade

Answer 5

Both local and regional level
Important for securing essentials
Little interest in increasing exports
Most Athenian trade the work of non Athenians

Question 6

Coinage

Answer 6

First minted at Athens 570-550 BC
Silver mines at Laurion facilitated coins
Coinage existed alongside barter system

Question 7

Barter system

Answer 7

Goods and services exchanged for goods and services
Existed in Athens alongside coinage

Question 8

The Grain trade

Answer 8

Only 20% of Attica cultivatable
State need to control grain trade
Made agreements with grain suppliers and introduced legislation to protect supply - Solon

Question 9

State income

Answer 9

Internal and external
2% tax on imports
Leasing of silver mines at laurion
Used to pay citizens in public service and the construction of ships and temples etc

Question 10

Tax

Answer 10

No income tax
Super tax on rich known as liturgy - above threshold
Emergency war taxes levied occasionally during peloponnesian war and frequently in fourth century