Download Economics in Ancient Greece

Economics in Ancient Greece
Most of ancient Greece was a mountainous region not suitable for economies
based on large farms (note that Spartan society in the Peloponnesus was an
exception to this rule and was based on a strong agricultural economy). Major
crops included wheat, grapes and olives. However, ancient Greece had
abundant coastline on the Mediterranean that made it an ideal center for a
trade-based economy and fishing. In later years, the economies of some citystates (such as Athens) relied more on trade than agriculture, which was the
traditional economic base for ancient societies.
Sparta
The Spartan Economy was based on three classes of society – Spartans, Perioci
and Helots. Sparta did not have a coin system, instead it traded in Iron Bars.
The Helots role in society was that of slaves doing farm work. Though the
Spartans themselves did not trade (they were soldiers), the Perioci oversaw the
Helots, mastered in arts and crafts, and did the trading. In Sparta male
citizens were warriors. A few of the men were aristocrats as there were usually
two kings in Sparta. These positions were hereditary. The kings had the right
to wage war against anyone they wished, but they had the responsibility to
engage first and leave the battlefield last.
Sparta was mainly an agricultural state because of its inland location. It
exported agricultural products such as wine and olive oil. Barley was grown
both for animal feed and human food. During the Classical period wheat was
also grown. Figs were grown and cheese was produced from sheep and goats.
The sheep and goats would have also provided wool, animal fat, and meat. The
main export of the Mycenaean ancestors of Sparta was wool cloth and the
Spartans may have continued this tradition.
The most important imports were metals. Metalurgy may have been an
important part of the Spartan economy. Sparta rejected the coins made by the
other Greek states and continued to use iron utensils as their medium of
barter.
Though Sparta was not on the coast, its coastal territories included several
ports which did participate in international trade. The main port was Gythium.
Mainly it exported agricultural products such as wine and olive oil and
imported lumber, metals, and wheat.
Athens
The city-state of Athens had a very rich tradition in maritime trade. The
introduction of trade into the Greek culture was one of the most defining points
in the history of ancient Greece. Simple transactions set the stage for larger
scale trade to come. Athens began to import and export many goods, including
wine, olive oil, beautiful decorative items and other crafts.
Cargo ships were made of wood and averaged about 150 tons around 400 BC.
These ships used sails instead of oarsmen. Later, in 240 BC, boats were
weighing 350 to 500 tons. Ships began adding sails with the increase in size.
Two to three masts were common. Some cargo ships were called trading ships
or haulers.
As trading grew, the Athenians reached markets all over the Mediterranean as
well as in the Far East, Egypt, and Lydia. They traded with many different
kinds of people, which expanded their imports to new levels. Everything that
the Athenians needed was in their reach and their economy soared.
One factor that helped trading grow in the ancient Greek world was the laws
that were put in place. The state looked after the safety of the merchants in
the harbors and the markets. No matter where an Athenian merchant was
from, he was safe in both the market and the harbor. In return, Athens
charged duties on imports and exports and received tribute from its allies. This
helped the Athenian economy and improved commerce. In this way, the
government helped improve trade, while trade helped improve the lives of the
Athenian.
So largely due to trade revenues and control of much of the Mediterranean,
Athens became a very prosperous city-state and one of the world leaders in
trade.