Ways and Means (Xenophon)
Encyclopedia
Ways and Means was written in 354 BC
and is believed to be the last work written by Xenophon
. A half century after Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War
, the city was facing financial ruin.
Ways and Means consists of 5 chapters.
In chapter 1 Xenophon lists the qualities of Athens that make it qualified for large revenue. The qualities that Xenophon lists are that the seasons in Attica
are mild, the land and the sea near it are productive, and Athens isn't near the land of the barbarians.
In chapter 2 Xenophon suggests that Athens should increase the metic
(foreigners who aren't granted citizenship) population within Athens as a means of increasing revenue.
354 BC
Year 354 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Ambustus and Crispinus...
and is believed to be the last work written by Xenophon
Xenophon
Xenophon , son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, philosopher and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates...
. A half century after Athens' defeat in the Peloponnesian War
Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War, 431 to 404 BC, was an ancient Greek war fought by Athens and its empire against the Peloponnesian League led by Sparta. Historians have traditionally divided the war into three phases...
, the city was facing financial ruin.
Ways and Means consists of 5 chapters.
In chapter 1 Xenophon lists the qualities of Athens that make it qualified for large revenue. The qualities that Xenophon lists are that the seasons in Attica
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
are mild, the land and the sea near it are productive, and Athens isn't near the land of the barbarians.
In chapter 2 Xenophon suggests that Athens should increase the metic
Metic
In ancient Greece, the term metic referred to a resident alien, one who did not have citizen rights in his or her Greek city-state of residence....
(foreigners who aren't granted citizenship) population within Athens as a means of increasing revenue.
External links
- Ways and Means full text in English from Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...