Author Description
G. J. Oliver provides a new assessment of the economic history of Athens in the Hellenistic era, when the city was no longer an imperial power and struggled to maintain its territory, both at home in Attica and overseas in the cleruchies. Oliver assesses how political and military change affected the fragile economies of the Athenian polis. Warfare in Attica required the Athenians to protect their domestic grain supply and seek out those beyond the city to provide commodities from abroad. Oliver stresses the economic importance of benefaction and civic honours, and shows how much the citizens of Athens contributed to the defence and finances of their city.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates how the intersection of military conflict, food security, and political structures shaped the economic stability of Athens during the early Hellenistic period. G. J. Oliver, a specialist in Greek history, utilizes epigraphic evidence and historical records to re-evaluate the Athenian polis after its decline as an imperial power. The author argues that the city's survival relied heavily on the strategic management of grain supplies and the active financial participation of its citizens through systems of benefaction and civic honors.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of Athenian economic policy during the early Hellenistic era
- Examination of the relationship between military defense and domestic food security
- Study of the role of cleruchies in maintaining Athenian influence
- Investigation into the social and financial impact of civic honors and benefaction
Scope Limits
- Does not cover the entirety of the Hellenistic period, focusing primarily on the early phase
- Excludes detailed military tactical analysis, prioritizing economic and political implications
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars recognize this text as a significant contribution to the study of post-imperial Athenian economics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's reliance on specialized epigraphic data.
Page Count:
360
Publication Date:
2007-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0191536229
ISBN-13:
9780191536229
History
Economic History
Athens Greece
Ancient History
Ancient Greece
Political History