Work, market and capital in classic Athens

Recenzowane materiały związane z XXI Powszechnym Zjazdem Historyków Polskich (Białystok, 17-20 września 2024 r.) będące również plonem projektu badawczego "Człowiek twórcą historii" realizowanego w Uniwersytecie w Białymstoku w latach 2022-2024.

In the Classical era (5th-4th centuries BCE), Athens became a major urban center by Greek standards. Its economic and social life reveals many phenomena reminiscent of modern cities. The establishment of the port at Piraeus fostered the development of trade, manufacturing, and services. New earning opportunities attracted immigrants from Attic villages and other regions of the Mediterranean world. Many of them embarked on self-employment, competing for means of livelihood or to increase their wealth. Smaller and larger production workshops, lead ore mining, silver extraction, leasing, and maritime trade opened up prospects for rapid income growth, while access to credit encouraged taking risky business decisions.