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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:37 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:16:37 -0700 |
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diff --git a/1179-h/1179-h.htm b/1179-h/1179-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..687e7e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/1179-h/1179-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1191 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + On Revenues, by Xenophon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1179 ***</div> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + ON REVENUES + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Xenophon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translation by H. G. Dakyns + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a + pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, + and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land + and property in Scillus, where he lived for many + years before having to move once more, to settle + in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C. + + Revenues describes Xenophon's ideas to solve the + problem of poverty in Athens, and thus remove an + excuse to mistreat the Athenian allies. +</pre> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PREPARER'S NOTE + + This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a + four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though + there is doubt about some of these) is: + + Work Number of books + + The Anabasis 7 + The Hellenica 7 + The Cyropaedia 8 + The Memorabilia 4 + The Symposium 1 + The Economist 1 + On Horsemanship 1 + The Sportsman 1 + The Cavalry General 1 + The Apology 1 + On Revenues 1 + The Hiero 1 + The Agesilaus 1 + The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2 + + Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into + English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The + diacritical marks have been lost. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + WAYS AND MEANS + </h2> + <h3> + A Pamphlet On Revenues + </h3> + <p> + I + </p> + <p> + For myself I hold to the opinion that the qualities of the leading + statesmen in a state, whatever they be, are reproduced in the character of + the constitution itself. (1) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) "Like minister, like government." For the same idea more fully + expressed, see "Cyrop." VIII. i. 8; viii. 5. +</pre> + <p> + As, however, it has been maintained by certain leading statesmen in Athens + that the recognised standard of right and wrong is as high at Athens as + elsewhere, but that, owing to the pressure of poverty on the masses, a + certain measure of injustice in their dealing with the allied states (2) + could not be avoided; I set myself to discover whether by any manner of + means it were possible for the citizens of Athens to be supported solely + from the soil of Attica itself, which was obviously the most equitable + solution. For if so, herein lay, as I believed, the antidote at once to + their own poverty and to the feeling of suspicion with which they are + regarded by the rest of Hellas. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (2) Lit. "the cities," i.e. of the alliance, {tas summakhidas}. +</pre> + <p> + I had no sooner begun my investigation than one fact presented itself + clearly to my mind, which is that the country itself is made by nature to + provide the amplest resources. And with a view to establishing the truth + of this initial proposition I will describe the physical features of + Attica. + </p> + <p> + In the first place, the extraordinary mildness of the climate is proved by + the actual products of the soil. Numerous plants which in many parts of + the world appear as stunted leafless growths are here fruit-bearing. And + as with the soil so with the sea indenting our coasts, the varied + productivity of which is exceptionally great. Again with regard to those + kindly fruits of earth (3) which Providence bestows on man season by + season, one and all they commence earlier and end later in this land. Nor + is the supremacy of Attica shown only in those products which year after + year flourish and grow old, but the land contains treasures of a more + perennial kind. Within its folds lies imbedded by nature an unstinted + store of marble, out of which are chiselled (4) temples and altars of + rarest beauty and the glittering splendour of images sacred to the gods. + This marble, moreover, is an object of desire to many foreigners, Hellenes + and barbarians alike. Then there is land which, although it yields no + fruit to the sower, needs only to be quarried in order to feed many times + more mouths than it could as corn-land. Doubtless we owe it to a divine + dispensation that our land is veined with silver; if we consider how many + neighbouring states lie round us by land and sea and yet into none of them + does a single thinnest vein of silver penetrate. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (3) Lit. "those good things which the gods afford in their seasons." + + (4) Or, "arise," or "are fashioned." +</pre> + <p> + Indeed it would be scarcely irrational to maintain that the city of Athens + lies at the navel, not of Hellas merely, but of the habitable world. So + true is it, that the farther we remove from Athens the greater the extreme + of heat or cold to be encountered; or to use another illustration, the + traveller who desires to traverse the confines of Hellas from end to end + will find that, whether he voyages by sea or by land, he is describing a + circle, the centre of which is Athens. (5) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) See "Geog. of Brit. Isles." J. R. and S. A. Green, ch. i. p. 7: + "London, in fact, is placed at what is very nearly the geometrical + centre of those masses of land which make up the earth surface of + the globe, and is thus more than any city of the world the natural + point of convergence for its different lines of navigation," etc. + The natural advantages of Boeotia are similarly set forth by + Ephorus. Cf. Strab. ix. 2, p. 400. +</pre> + <p> + Once more, this land though not literally sea-girt has all the advantages + of an island, being accessible to every wind that blows, and can invite to + its bosom or waft from its shore all products, since it is peninsular; + whilst by land it is the emporium of many markets, as being a portion of + the continent. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, while the majority of states have barbarian neighbours, the source + of many troubles, Athens has as her next-door neighbours civilised states + which are themselves far remote from the barbarians. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + All these advantages, to repeat what I have said, may, I believe, be + traced primarily to the soil and position of Attica itself. But these + natural blessings may be added to: in the first place, by a careful + handling of our resident alien (1) population. And, for my part, I can + hardly conceive of a more splendid source of revenue than lies open in + this direction. Here you have a self-supporting class of residents + conferring large benefits upon the state, and instead of receiving payment + (2) themselves, contributing on the contrary to the gain of the exchequer + by the sojourners' tax. (3) Nor, under the term careful handling, do I + demand more than the removal of obligations which, whilst they confer no + benefit on the state, have an air of inflicting various disabilities on + the resident aliens. (4) And I would further relieve them from the + obligation of serving as hoplites side by side with the citizen proper; + since, beside the personal risk, which is great, the trouble of quitting + trades and homesteads is no trifle. (5) Incidentally the state itself + would benefit by this exemption, if the citizens were more in the habit of + campaigning with one another, rather than (6) shoulder to shoulder with + Lydians, Phrygians, Syrians, and barbarians from all quarters of the + world, who form the staple of our resident alien class. Besides the + advantage (of so weeding the ranks), (7) it would add a positive lustre to + our city, were it admitted that the men of Athens, her sons, have reliance + on themselves rather than on foreigners to fight her battles. And further, + supposing we offered our resident aliens a share in various other + honourable duties, including the cavalry service, (8) I shall be surprised + if we do not increase the goodwill of the aliens themselves, whilst at the + same time we add distinctly to the strength and grandeur of our city. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Lit. "metics" or "metoecs." + + (2) {misthos}, e.g. of the assembly, the senate, and the dicasts. + + (3) The {metoikion}. See Plat. "Laws," 850 B; according to Isaeus, ap. + Harpocr. s.v., it was 12 drachmae per annum for a male and 6 + drachmae for a female. + + (4) Or, "the class in question." According to Schneider (who cites the + {atimetos metanastes} of Homer, "Il." ix. 648), the reference is + not to disabilities in the technical sense, but to humiliating + duties, such as the {skaphephoria} imposed on the men, or the + {udriaphoria} and {skiadephoria} imposed on their wives and + daughters in attendance on the {kanephoroi} at the Panathenaic and + other festival processions. See Arist. "Eccles." 730 foll.; + Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (Eng. tr. G. Cornewall Lewis, p. 538). + + (5) Or, reading {megas men gar o agon, mega de kai to apo ton tekhnon + kai ton oikeion apienai}, after Zurborg ("Xen. de Reditibus + Libellus," Berolini, MDCCCLXXVI.), transl. "since it is severe + enough to enter the arena of war, but all the worse when that + implies the abandonment of your trade and your domestic concerns." + + (6) Or, "instead of finding themselves brigaded as nowadays with a + motley crew of Lydians," etc. + + (7) Zurborg, after Cobet, omits the words so rendered. + + (8) See "Hipparch." ix. 3, where Xenophon in almost identical words + recommends that reform. +</pre> + <p> + In the next place, seeing that there are at present numerous building + sites within the city walls as yet devoid of houses, supposing the state + were to make free grants of such land (9) to foreigners for building + purposes in cases where there could be no doubt as to the respectability + of the applicant, if I am not mistaken, the result of such a measure will + be that a larger number of persons, and of a better class, will be + attracted to Athens as a place of residence. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "offer the fee simple of such property to." +</pre> + <p> + Lastly, if we could bring ourselves to appoint, as a new government + office, a board of guardians of foreign residents like our Guardians of + Orphans, (10) with special privileges assigned to those guardians who + should show on their books the greatest number of resident aliens—such + a measure would tend to improve the goodwill of the class in question, and + in all probability all people without a city of their own would aspire to + the status of foreign residents in Athens, and so further increase the + revenues of the city. (11) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) "The Archon was the legal protector of all orphans. It was his + duty to appoint guardians, if none were named in the father's + will."—C. R. Kennedy, Note to "Select Speeches of Demosthenes." + The orphans of those who had fallen in the war (Thuc. ii. 46) were + specially cared for. + + (11) Or, "help to swell the state exchequer." +</pre> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + At this point I propose to offer some remarks in proof of the attractions + and advantages of Athens as a centre of commercial enterprise. In the + first place, it will hardly be denied that we possess the finest and + safest harbourage for shipping, where vessels of all sorts can come to + moorings and be laid up in absolute security (1) as far as stress of + weather is concerned. But further than that, in most states the trader is + under the necessity of lading his vessel with some merchandise (2) or + other in exchange for his cargo, since the current coin (3) has no + circulation beyond the frontier. But at Athens he has a choice: he can + either in return for his wares export a variety of goods, such as human + beings seek after, or, if he does not desire to take goods in exchange for + goods, he has simply to export silver, and he cannot have a more excellent + freight to export, since wherever he likes to sell it he may look to + realise a large percentage on his capital. (4) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Reading {adeos} after Cobet, or if {edeos}, transl. "in perfect + comfort." + + (2) Or, "of exchanging cargo for cargo to the exclusion of specie." + + (3) I.e. of the particular locality. See "The Types of Greek Coins," + Percy Gardner, ch. ii. "International Currencies among the + Greeks." + + (4) Or, "on the original outlay." +</pre> + <p> + Or again, supposing prizes (5) were offered to the magistrates in charge + of the market (6) for equitable and speedy settlements of points in + dispute (7) to enable any one so wishing to proceed on his voyage without + hindrance, the result would be that far more traders would trade with us + and with greater satisfaction. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (5) Cf. "Hiero," ix. 6, 7, 11; "Hipparch." i. 26. + + (6) {to tou emporiou arkhe}. Probably he is referring to the + {epimeletai emporiou} (overseers of the market). See Harpocr. + s.v.; Aristot. "Athenian Polity," 51. + + (7) For the sort of case, see Demosth. (or Deinarch.) "c. Theocr." + 1324; Zurborg ad loc.; Boeckh, I. ix. xv. (pp. 48, 81, Eng. tr.) +</pre> + <p> + It would indeed be a good and noble institution to pay special marks of + honour, such as the privilege of the front seat, to merchants and + shipowners, and on occasion to invite to hospitable entertainment those + who, through something notable in the quality of ship or merchandise, may + claim to have done the state a service. The recipients of these honours + will rush into our arms as friends, not only under the incentive of gain, + but of distinction also. + </p> + <p> + Now the greater the number of people attracted to Athens either as + visitors or as residents, clearly the greater the development of imports + and exports. More goods will be sent out of the country, (8) there will be + more buying and selling, with a consequent influx of money in the shape of + rents to individuals and dues and customs to the state exchequer. And to + secure this augmentation of the revenues, mind you, not the outlay of one + single penny; nothing needed beyond one or two philanthropic measures and + certain details of supervision. (9) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 24. + + (9) See Aristot. "Pol." iv. 15, 3. +</pre> + <p> + With regard to the other sources of revenue which I contemplate, I admit, + it is different. For these I recognise the necessity of a capital (10) to + begin with. I am not, however, without good hope that the citizens of this + state will contribute heartily to such an object, when I reflect on the + large sums subscribed by the state on various late occasions, as, for + instance, when reinforcements were sent to the Arcadians under the command + of Lysistratus, (11) and again at the date of the generalship of + Hegesileos. (12) I am well aware that ships of war are frequently + despatched and that too (13) although it is uncertain whether the venture + will be for the better or for the worse, and the only certainty is that + the contributor will not recover the sum subscribed nor have any further + share in the object for which he gave his contribution. (14) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) "A starting-point." + + (11) B.C. 366; cf. "Hell." VII. iv. 3. + + (12) B.C. 362; cf. "Hell." VII. v. 15. See Grote, "H. G." x. 459; + Ephor. ap. Diog. Laert. ii. 54; Diod. Sic. xv. 84; Boeckh, ap. L. + Dindorf. Xenophon's son Gryllus served under him and was slain. + + (13) Reading {kai tauta toutout men adelou ontos}, after Zurborg. + + (14) Reading { (uper) on an eisenegkosi} with Zurborg. See his note, + "Comm." p. 25. +</pre> + <p> + But for a sound investment (15) I know of nothing comparable with the + initial outlay to form this fund. (16) Any one whose contribution amounts + to ten minae (17) may look forward to a return as high as he would get on + bottomry, of nearly one-fifth, (18) as the recipient of three obols a day. + The contributor of five minae (19) will on the same principle get more + than a third, (20) while the majority of Athenians will get more than cent + per cent on their contribution. That is to say, a subscription of one mina + (21) will put the subscriber in possession of nearly double that sum, (22) + and that, moreover, without setting foot outside Athens, which, as far as + human affairs go, is as sound and durable a security as possible. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (15) "A good substantial property." + + (16) Or, "on the other hand, I affirm that the outlay necessary to + form the capital for my present project will be more remunerative + than any other that can be named." As to the scheme itself see + Grote, "Plato," III. ch. xxxix.; Boeckh, op. cit. (pp. 4, 37, 136, + 600 seq. Eng. tr.) Cf. Demosth. "de Sym." for another scheme, 354 + B.C., which shows the "sound administrative and practical + judgment" of the youthful orator as compared with "the benevolent + dreams and ample public largess in which Xenophon here indulges." + —Grote, op. cit. p. 601. + + (17) L40:12:4 = 1000 drachmae. + + (18) I.e. exactly 18 or nearly 20 per cent. The following table will + make the arithmetic clear:— + + 6 ob. = 1 drachma 10 minae = 6000 ob. + 100 dr. = 1 mina = 1000 dr. + + 600 ob. = 1 mina 1000 dr.:180 dr.::100:18 therefore nearly 1/5 + 3 ob. (a day) x 360 = 1080 ob. p.a. = nearly 20 per cent. + = 180 dr. p.a. + + As to the 3 obols a day (= 180 dr. p.a.) which as an Athenian + citizen he is entitled to, see Grote, op. cit. p. 597: "There will + be a regular distribution among all citizens, per head and + equally. Three oboli, or half a drachma, will be allotted daily to + each, to poor and rich alike" (on the principle of the Theorikon). + "For the poor citizens this will provide a comfortable + subsistence, without any contribution on their part; the poverty + now prevailing will thus be alleviated. The rich, like the poor, + receive the daily triobolon as a free gift; but if they compute it + as interest for their investments, they will find that the rate of + interest is full and satisfactory, like the rate on bottomry." + Zurborg, "Comm." p. 25; Boeckh, op. cit. IV. xxi. (p. 606, Eng. + tr.); and Grote's note, op. cit. p. 598. + + (19) = L20:6:3 = 500 drachmae. + + (20) = I.e. 36 per cent. + + (21) = L4:1:3 = 100 drachmae. + + (22) I.e. 180 per cent. +</pre> + <p> + Moreover, I am of opinion that if the names of contributors were to be + inscribed as benefactors for all time, many foreigners would be induced to + contribute, and possibly not a few states, in their desire to obtain the + right of inscription; indeed I anticipate that some kings, (23) tyrants, + (24) and satraps will display a keen desire to share in such a favour. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (23) Zurborg suggests (p. 5) "Philip or Cersobleptes." Cf. Isocr. "On + the Peace," S. 23. + + (24) I.e. despotic monarchs. +</pre> + <p> + To come to the point. Were such a capital once furnished, it would be a + magnificent plan to build lodging-houses for the benefit of shipmasters in + the neighbourhood of the harbours, in addition to those which exist; and + again, on the same principle, suitable places of meeting for merchants, + for the purposes (25) of buying and selling; and thirdly, public + lodging-houses for persons visiting the city. Again, supposing + dwelling-houses and stores for vending goods were fitted up for retail + dealers in Piraeus and the city, they would at once be an ornament to the + state and a fertile source of revenue. Also it seems to me it would be a + good thing to try and see if, on the principle on which at present the + state possesses public warships, it would not be possible to secure public + merchant vessels, to be let out on the security of guarantors just like + any other public property. If the plan were found feasible this public + merchant navy would be a large source of extra revenue. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (25) Reading, with Zurborg, {epi one te}. +</pre> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + I come to a new topic. I am persuaded that the establishment of the silver + mines on a proper footing (1) would be followed by a large increase in + wealth apart from the other sources of revenue. And I would like, for the + benefit of those who may be ignorant, to point out what the capacity of + these mines really is. You will then be in a position to decide how to + turn them to better account. It is clear, I presume, to every one that + these mines have for a very long time been in active operation; at any + rate no one will venture to fix the date at which they first began to be + worked. (2) Now in spite of the fact that the silver ore has been dug and + carried out for so long a time, I would ask you to note that the mounds of + rubbish so shovelled out are but a fractional portion of the series of + hillocks containing veins of silver, and as yet unquarried. Nor is the + silver-bearing region gradually becoming circumscribed. On the contrary it + is evidently extending in wider area from year to year. That is to say, + during the period in which thousands of workers (3) have been employed + within the mines no hand was ever stopped for want of work to do. Rather, + at any given moment, the work to be done was more than enough for the + hands employed. And so it is to-day with the owners of slaves working in + the mines; no one dreams of reducing the number of his hands. On the + contrary, the object is perpetually to acquire as many additional hands as + the owner possibly can. The fact is that with few hands to dig and search, + the find of treasure will be small, but with an increase in labour the + discovery of the ore itself is more than proportionally increased. So much + so, that of all operations with which I am acquainted, this is the only + one in which no sort of jealousy is felt at a further development of the + industry. (4) I may go a step farther; every proprietor of a farm will be + able to tell you exactly how many yoke of oxen are sufficient for the + estate, and how many farm hands. To send into the field more than the + exact number requisite every farmer would consider a dead loss. (5) But in + silver mining (operations) the universal complaint is the want of hands. + Indeed there is no analogy between this and other industries. With an + increase in the number of bronze-workers articles of bronze may become so + cheap that the bronze-worker has to retire from the field. And so again + with ironfounders. Or again, in a plethoric condition of the corn and wine + market these fruits of the soil will be so depreciated in value that the + particular husbandries cease to be remunerative, and many a farmer will + give up his tillage of the soil and betake himself to the business of a + merchant, or of a shopkeeper, to banking or money-lending. But the + converse is the case in the working of silver; there the larger the + quantity of ore discovered and the greater the amount of silver extracted, + the greater the number of persons ready to engage in the operation. One + more illustration: take the case of movable property. No one when he has + got sufficient furniture for his house dreams of making further purchases + on this head, but of silver no one ever yet possessed so much that he was + forced to cry "enough." On the contrary, if ever anybody does become + possessed of an immoderate amount he finds as much pleasure in digging a + hole in the ground and hoarding it as in the actual employment of it. And + from a wider point of view: when a state is prosperous there is nothing + which people so much desire as silver. The men want money to expend on + beautiful armour and fine horses, and houses, and sumptuous paraphernalia + (6) of all sorts. The women betake themselves to expensive apparel and + ornaments of gold. Or when states are sick, (7) either through barrenness + of corn and other fruits, or through war, the demand for current coin is + even more imperative (whilst the ground lies unproductive), to pay for + necessaries or military aid. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "on a sound basis." + + (2) "Exploited." + + (3) Or, "at the date when the maximum of hands was employed." + + (4) Reading {epikataskeuazumenois}, or, if {episkeuazomenoi}, transl. + "at the rehabilitation of old works." + + (5) Cf. "Oecon." xvii. 12. + + (6) "The thousand and one embellishments of civil life." + + (7) "When a state is struck down with barrenness," etc. See "Mem." II. + vii. +</pre> + <p> + And if it be asserted that gold is after all just as useful as silver, + without gainsaying the proposition I may note this fact (8) about gold, + that, with a sudden influx of this metal, it is the gold itself which is + depreciated whilst causing at the same time a rise in the value of silver. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (8) Lit. "I know, however." +</pre> + <p> + The above facts are, I think, conclusive. They encourage us not only to + introduce as much human labour as possible into the mines, but to extend + the scale of operations within, by increase of plant, etc., in full + assurance that there is no danger either of the ore itself being exhausted + or of silver becoming depreciated. And in advancing these views I am + merely following a precedent set me by the state herself. So it seems to + me, since the state permits any foreigner who desires it to undertake + mining operations on a footing of equality (9) with her own citizens. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Or, "at an equal rent with that which she imposes on her own + citizens." See Boeckh, "P. E. A." IV. x. (p. 540, Eng. tr.) +</pre> + <p> + But, to make my meaning clearer on the question of maintenance, I will at + this point explain in detail how the silver mines may be furnished and + extended so as to render them much more useful to the state. Only I would + premise that I claim no sort of admiration for anything which I am about + to say, as though I had hit upon some recondite discovery. Since half of + what I have to say is at the present moment still patent to the eyes of + all of us, and as to what belongs to past history, if we are to believe + the testimony of our fathers, (10) things were then much of a piece with + what is going on now. No, what is really marvellous is that the state, + with the fact of so many private persons growing wealthy at her expense, + and under her very eyes, should have failed to imitate them. It is an old + story, trite enough to those of us who have cared to attend to it, how + once on a time Nicias, the son of Niceratus, owned a thousand men in the + silver mines, (11) whom he let out to Sosias, a Thracian, on the following + terms. Sosias was to pay him a net obol a day, without charge or + deduction, for every slave of the thousand, and be (12) responsible for + keeping up the number perpetually at that figure. So again Hipponicus (13) + had six hundred slaves let out on the same principle, which brought him in + a net mina (14) a day without charge or deduction. Then there was + Philemonides, with three hundred, bringing him in half a mina, and others, + I make no doubt there were, making profits in proportion to their + respective resources and capital. (15) But there is no need to revert to + ancient history. At the present moment there are hundreds of human beings + in the mines let out on the same principle. (16) And given that my + proposal were carried into effect, the only novelty in it is that, just as + the individual in acquiring the ownership of a gang of slaves finds + himself at once provided with a permanent source of income, so the state, + in like fashion, should possess herself of a body of public slaves, to the + number, say, of three for every Athenian citizen. (17) As to the + feasibility of our proposals, I challenge any one whom it may concern to + test the scheme point by point, and to give his verdict. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (10) Reading {para ton pateron}, with Zurborg, after Wilamowitz- + Mollendorf. + + (11) See "Mem." II. v. 2; Plut. "Nicias," 4; "Athen." vi. 272. See an + important criticism of Boeckh's view by Cornewall Lewis, + translation of "P. E. A." p. 675 foll. + + (12) Reading {parekhein}, or if {pareikhen}, transl. "whilst he + himself kept up the number." See H. hagen in "Journ. Philol." x. + 19, pp. 34-36; also Zurborg, "Comm." p. 28. + + (13) Son of Callias. + + (14) = L4:1:3 = 600 ob. + + (15) Or, "whose incomes would vary in proportion to their working + capital." + + (16) See Jebb, "Theophr." xxvi. 21. + + (17) According to the ancient authorities the citizens of Athens + numbered about 21,000 at this date, which would give about 63,000 + as the number of state-slaves contemplated for the purposes of the + scheme. See Zurborg, "Comm." p. 29. "At a census taken in B.C. 309 + the number of slaves was returned at 400,000, and it does not seem + likely that there were fewer at any time during the classical + period."—"A Companion to School Classics" (James Gow), p. 101, + xiii. "Population of Attica." +</pre> + <p> + With regard to the price then of the men themselves, it is obvious that + the public treasury is in a better position to provide funds than any + private individuals. What can be easier than for the Council (18) to + invite by public proclamation all whom it may concern to bring their + slaves, and to buy up those produced? Assuming the purchase to be + effected, is it credible that people will hesitate to hire from the state + rather than from the private owner, and actually on the same terms? People + have at all events no hesitation at present in hiring consecrated grounds, + sacred victims, (19) houses, etc., or in purchasing the right of farming + taxes from the state. To ensure the preservation of the purchased + property, the treasury can take the same securities precisely from the + lessee as it does from those who purchase the right of farming its taxes. + Indeed, fraudulent dealing is easier on the part of the man who has + purchased such a right than of the man who hires slaves. Since it is not + easy to see how the exportation (20) of public money is to be detected, + when it differs in no way from private money. Whereas it will take a + clever thief to make off with these slaves, marked as they will be with + the public stamp, and in face of a heavy penalty attached at once to the + sale and exportation of them. Up to this point then it would appear + feasible enough for the state to acquire property in men and to keep a + safe watch over them. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (18) Or, "senate." See Aristot. "Athen. Pol." for the functions of the + Boule. + + (19) So Zurborg. See Demosth. "in Mid." 570; Boeckh, "P. E. A." II. + xii. (p. 212, Eng. tr.) See Arnold's note to "Thuc." iii. 50, 7. + + (20) Or, "diversation," "defalcation." + + (21) Or, "as far as that goes, then, there is nothing apparently to + prevent the state from acquiring property in slaves, and + safeguarding the property so acquired." +</pre> + <p> + But with reference to an opposite objection which may present itself to + the mind of some one: what guarantee is there that, along with the + increase in the supply of labourers, there will be a corresponding demand + for their services on the part of contractors? (22) It may be reassuring + to note, first of all, that many of those who have already embarked on + mining operations (23) will be anxious to increase their staff of + labourers by hiring some of these public slaves (remember, they have a + large capital at stake; (24) and again, many of the actual labourers now + engaged are growing old); and secondly, there are many others, Athenians + and foreigners alike, who, though unwilling and indeed incapable of + working physically in the mines, will be glad enough to earn a livelihood + by their wits as superintendents. (25) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (22) Or, "with this influx (multiplying) of labourers there will be a + corresponding increase in the demand for labour on the part of the + lessees." + + (23) Or, "got their mining establishments started." + + (24) Or, "of course they will, considering the amount of fixed capital + at stake," or, "since they have large resources at their back." I + have adopted Zurborg's stopping of this sentence. + + (25) See "Mem." II. viii. 1, for an illustrative case. +</pre> + <p> + Let it be granted, however, that at first a nucleus of twelve hundred + slaves is formed. It is hardly too sanguine a supposition that out of the + profits alone, (26) within five or six years this number may be increased + to at least six thousand. Again, out of that number of six thousand—supposing + each slave to being in an obol a day clear of all expenses—we get a + revenue of sixty talents a year. And supposing twenty talents out of this + sum laid out on the purchase of more slaves, there will be forty talents + left for the state to apply to any other purpose it may find advisable. By + the time the round number (27) of ten thousand is reached the yearly + income will amount to a hundred talents. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (26) "Out of the income so derived." + + (27) Or, "full complement." +</pre> + <p> + As a matter of fact, the state will receive much more than these figures + represent, (28) as any one here will bear me witness who can remember what + the dues (29) derived from slaves realised before the troubles at Decelea. + (30) Testimony to the same effect is borne by the fact, that in spite of + the countless number of human beings employed in the silver mines within + the whole period, (31) the mines present exactly the same appearance + to-day as they did within the recollection of our forefathers. (32) And + once more everything that is taking place to-day tends to prove that, + whatever the number of slaves employed, you will never have more than the + works can easily absorb. The miners find no limit of depth in sinking + shafts or laterally in piercing galleries. To open cuttings in new + directions to-day is just as possible as it was in former times. In fact + no one can take on himself to say whether there is more ore in the regions + already cut into, or in those where the pick has not yet struck. (33) Well + then, it may be asked, why is it that there is not the same rush to make + new cuttings now as in former times? The answer is, because the people + concerned with the mines are poorer nowadays. The attempt to restart + operations, renew plant, etc., is of recent date, and any one who ventures + to open up a new area runs a considerable risk. Supposing he hits upon a + productive field, he becomes a rich man, but supposing he draws a blank, + he loses the whole of his outlay; and that is a danger which people of the + present time are shy of facing. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (28) Or, "a very much larger sum than we have calculated on." Lit. + "many times over that sum." + + (29) Or, "tax." See below, S. 49; for the whole matter see Thuc. vii. + 27, vi. 91; Xen. "Mem." III. vi. 12, in reference to B.C. 413, + when Decelea had been fortified. As to the wholesale desertion of + slaves, "more than twenty thousand slaves had deserted, many of + them artisans," according to Thucydides. + + (30) Or, "the days of Decelea." Lit. "the incidents of Decelea." + + (31) I.e. "of their working since mining began." + + (32) Lit. "are just the same to-day as our forefathers recollected + them to be in their time." + + (33) Or, "whether the tracts already explored or those not yet opened + are the more prolific." +</pre> + <p> + It is a difficulty, but it is one on which, I believe, I can offer some + practical advice. I have a plan to suggest which will reduce the risk of + opening up new cuttings to a minimum. (34) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (34) Or, "I have a plan to make the opening of new cuttings as safe as + possible." +</pre> + <p> + The citizens of Athens are divided, as we all know, into ten tribes. Let + the state then assign to each of these ten tribes an equal number of + slaves, and let the tribes agree to associate their fortunes and proceed + to open new cuttings. What will happen? Any single tribe hitting upon a + productive lode will be the means of discovering what is advantageous to + all. Or, supposing two or three, or possibly the half of them, hit upon a + lode, clearly these several operations will proportionally be more + remunerative still. That the whole ten will fail is not at all in + accordance with what we should expect from the history of the past. It is + possible, of course, for private persons to combine in the same way, (35) + and share their fortunes and minimise their risks. Nor need you apprehend, + sirs, that a state mining company, established on this principle, will + prove a thorn in the side (36) of the private owner, or the private owner + prove injurious to the state. But rather like allies who render each other + stronger the more they combine, (37) so in these silver mines, the greater + number of companies at work (38) the larger the riches they will discover + and disinter. (39) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (35) "To form similar joint-stock companies." + + (36) See "Cyneg." v. 5. + + (37) Or, "deriving strength from combination." + + (38) Co-operators. + + (39) Reading {ekphoresousi}, after Cobet. +</pre> + <p> + This then is a statement, as far as I can make it clear, of the method by + which, with the proper state organisation, every Athenian may be supplied + with ample maintenance at the public expense. Possibly some of you may be + calculating that the capital (40) requisite will be enormous. They may + doubt if a sufficient sum will ever be subscribed to meet all the needs. + All I can say is, even so, do not despond. It is not as if it were + necessary that every feature of the scheme should be carried out at once, + or else there is to be no advantage in it at all. On the contrary, + whatever number of houses are erected, or ships are built, or slaves + purchased, etc., these portions will begin to pay at once. In fact, the + bit-by-bit method of proceeding will be more advantageous than a + simultaneous carrying into effect of the whole plan, to this extent: if we + set about erecting buildings wholesale (41) we shall make a more expensive + and worse job of it than if we finish them off gradually. Again, if we set + about bidding for hundreds of slaves at once we shall be forced to + purchase an inferior type at a higher cost. Whereas, if we proceed + tentatively, as we find ourselves able, (42) we can complete any + well-devised attempt at our leisure, (43) and, in case of any obvious + failure, take warning and not repeat it. Again, if everything were to be + carried out at once, it is we, sirs, who must make the whole provision at + our expense. (44) Whereas, if part were proceeded with and part stood + over, the portion of revenue in hand will help to furnish what is + necessary to go on with. But to come now to what every one probably will + regard as a really grave danger, lest the state may become possessed of an + over large number of slaves, with the result that the works will be + overstocked. That again is an apprehension which we may escape if we are + careful not to put into the works more hands from year to year than the + works themselves demand. Thus (45) I am persuaded that the easiest method + of carrying out this scheme, as a whole, is also the best. If, however, + you are persuaded that, owing to the extraordinary property taxes (46) to + which you have been subjected during the present war, you will not be + equal to any further contributions at present, (47) what you should do is + this: (48) during the current year resolve to carry on the financial + administration of the state within the limits of a sum equivalent to that + which your dues (49) realised before the peace. That done, you are at + liberty to take any surplus sum, whether directly traceable to the peace + itself, or to the more courteous treatment of our resident aliens and + traders, or to the growth of the imports and exports, coincident with the + collecting together of larger masses of human beings, or to an + augmentation of harbour (50) and market dues: this surplus, I say, however + derived, you should take and invest (51) so as to bring in the greatest + revenue. (52) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (40) Or, "sinking fund." + + (41) {athrooi}—"in a body." It is a military phrase, I think. In + close order, as it were, not in detachments. + + (42) "According to our ability," a favourite Socratic phrase. + + (43) {authis}. See for this corrupt passage Zurborg, "Comm." p. 31. He + would insert, "and a little delay will not be prejudicial to our + interests, but rather the contrary," or to that effect, thus: {kai + authis an (anutoimen ou gar toiaute te anabole blaben genesthai + an) emin oiometha} "vel simile aliquid." + + (44) Or, "it is we who must bear the whole burthen of the outlay." + + (45) {outos}, "so far, unless I am mistaken, the easiest method is the + best." + + (46) Or, "heavy contributions, subscriptions incidental to," but the + word {eisphoras} is technical. For the exhaustion of the treasury + see Dem. "Lept." 464; Grote, "H. G."xi. 326. + + (47) Or, "you will not be able to subscribe a single penny more." + + (48) {umeis de}, you are masters of the situation. It lies with you to + carry on, etc.; {dioikeite} is of course imperative. + + (49) Or, "taxes." + + (50) Reading, after Zurborg, {dia ta ellimenia}. Or, if the vulg. {dia + en limeni}, transl. "an augmentation of market dues at Piraeus." + + (51) I.e. as fixed capital, or, "you should expend on plant." + + (52) Or, adopting Zurborg's emend, {os an pleista eggignetai}, transl. + "for the purposes of the present scheme as far as it may be + available." +</pre> + <p> + Again, if there is an apprehension on the part of any that the whole + scheme (53) will crumble into nothing on the first outbreak of war, I + would only beg these alarmists to note that, under the condition of things + which we propose to bring about, war will have more terrors for the + attacking party than for this state. Since what possession I should like + to know can be more serviceable for war than that of men? Think of the + many ships which they will be capable of manning on public service. Think + of the number who will serve on land as infantry (in the public service) + and will bear hard upon the enemy. Only we must treat them with courtesy. + (54) For myself, my calculation is, that even in the event of war we shall + be quite able to keep a firm hold of the silver mines. I may take it, we + have in the neighbourhood of the mines certain fortresses—one on the + southern slope in Anaphlystus; (55) and we have another on the northern + side in Thoricus, the two being about seven and a half miles (56) apart. + Suppose then a third breastwork were to be placed between these, on the + highest point of Besa, that would enable the operatives to collect into + one out of all the fortresses, and at the first perception of a hostile + movement it would only be a short distance for each to retire into safety. + (57) In the event of an enemy advancing in large numbers they might + certainly make off with whatever corn or wine or cattle they found + outside. But even if they did get hold of the silver ore, it would be + little better to them than a heap of stones. (58) But how is an enemy ever + to march upon the mines in force? The nearest state, Megara, is distant, I + take it, a good deal over sixty miles; (59) and the next closest, Thebes, + a good deal nearer seventy. (60) Supposing then an enemy to advance from + some such point to attack the mines, he cannot avoid passing Athens; and + presuming his force to be small, we may expect him to be annihilated by + our cavalry and frontier police. (61) I say, presuming his force to be + small, since to march with anything like a large force, and thereby leave + his own territory denuded of troops, would be a startling achievement. + Why, the fortified city of Athens will be much closer the states of the + attacking parties than they themselves will be by the time they have got + to the mines. But, for the sake of argument, let us suppose an enemy to + have arrived in the neighbourhood of Laurium; how is he going to stop + there without provisions? To go out in search of supplies with a + detachment of his force would imply risk, both for the foraging party and + for those who have to do the fighting; (62) whilst, if they are driven to + do so in force each time, they may call themselves besiegers, but they + will be practically in a state of siege themselves. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (53) Or, "the proposed organisation." + + (54) See ch. ii. above. + + (55) Or, reading {en te pros mesembrian thalatte}, "on the southern + Sea." For Anaphlystus see "Hell." I. ii. 1; "Mem." III. v. 25. It + was Eubulus's deme, the leading statesman at this date. + + (56) Lit. "60 stades." + + (57) The passage {sunekoi t an erga}, etc., is probably corrupt. {Ta + erga} seems to mean "the operatives;" cf. Latin "operae." Others + take it of "the works themselves." Possibly it may refer to + military works connecting the three fortresses named. "There might + be a system of converging (works or) lines drawn to a single point + from all the fortresses, and at the first sign of any thing + hostile," etc. + + (58) I.e. "they might as well try to carry off so many tons of stone." + + (59) Lit. "500 stades." + + (60) Lit. "more than 600 stades." + + (61) The {peripoloi}, or horse patrol to guard the frontier. See Thuc. + iv. 57, viii. 92; Arist. "Birds,"ii. 76. Young Athenians between + eighteen and twenty were eligible for the service. + + (62) Or, "for the very object of the contest." The construction is in + any case unusual. {peri on agonizontai} = {peri touton oi}. + Zurborg suggests {peri ton agonizomenon}. +</pre> + <p> + But it is not the income (63) derived from the slaves alone to which we + look to help the state towards the effective maintenance of her citizens, + but with the growth and concentration of a thick population in the mining + district various sources of revenue will accrue, whether from the market + at Sunium, or from the various state buildings in connection with the + silver mines, from furnaces and all the rest. Since we must expect a + thickly populated city to spring up here, if organised in the way + proposed, and plots of land will become as valuable to owners out there as + they are to those who possess them in the neighbourhood of the capital. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (63) I adopt Zurborg's correction, {prosphora} for {eisphora}, as + obviously right. See above, iv. 23. +</pre> + <p> + If, at this point, I may assume my proposals to have been carried into + effect, I think I can promise, not only that our city shall be relieved + from a financial strain, but that she shall make a great stride in + orderliness and in tactical organisation, she shall grow in martial spirit + and readiness for war. I anticipate that those who are under orders to go + through gymnastic training will devote themselves with a new zeal to the + details of the training school, now that they will receive a larger + maintenance whilst (64) under the orders of the trainer in the torch race. + So again those on garrison duty in the various fortresses, those enrolled + as peltasts, or again as frontier police to protect the rural districts, + one and all will carry out their respective duties more ardently when the + maintenance (64) appropriate to these several functions is duly + forthcoming. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (64) I follow Zurborg in omitting {e}. If {e} is to stand, transl. + "than they get whilst supplied by the gymnasiarch in the torch + race," or "whilst exercising the office of gymnasiarchs + themselves." See "Pol. Ath." i. 13. + + (65) "State aid." +</pre> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + But now, if it is evident that, in order to get the full benefit of all + these sources of revenue, (1) peace is an indispensable condition—if + that is plain, I say, the question suggests itself, would it not be worth + while to appoint a board to act as guardians of peace? Since no doubt the + election of such a magistracy would enhance the charm of this city in the + eyes of the whole world, and add largely to the number of our visitors. + But if any one is disposed to take the view, that by adopting a persistent + peace policy, (2) this city will be shorn of her power, that her glory + will dwindle and her good name be forgotten throughout the length and + breadth of Hellas, the view so taken by our friends here (3) is in my poor + judgment somewhat unreasonable. For they are surely the happy states, + they, in popular language, are most fortune-favoured, which endure in + peace the longest season. And of all states Athens is pre-eminently + adapted by nature to flourish and wax strong in peace. The while she + abides in peace she cannot fail to exercise an attractive force on all. + From the mariner and the merchant upwards, all seek her, flocking they + come; the wealthy dealers in corn and wine (4) and oil, the owner of many + cattle. And not these only, but the man who depends upon his wits, whose + skill it is to do business and make gain out of money (5) and its + employment. And here another crowd, artificers of all sorts, artists and + artisans, professors of wisdom, (6) philosophers, and poets, with those + who exhibit and popularise their works. (7) And next a new train of + pleasure-seekers, eager to feast on everything sacred or secular, (8) + which may captivate and charm eye and ear. Or once again, where are all + those who seek to effect a rapid sale or purchase of a thousand + commodities, to find what they want, if not at Athens? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (1) Or, "to set these several sources of revenue flowing in full + stream." + + (2) Cf. "a policy of peace at any price," or, "by persisting for any + length of time in the enjoyment of peace." + + (3) {kai outoi ge}. The speaker waves his hand to the quarter of the + house where the anti-peace party is seated. + + (4) After Zurborg, I omit {oukh oi eduoinoi}. + + (5) Reading {kai ap arguriou}, with Zurborg. + + (6) Lit. "Sophists." See Grote, "H. G." viii. lxvii. note, p. 497. + + (7) E.g. chorus-trainers, musicians, grammarians, rhapsodists, and + actors. + + (8) Or, "sacred and profane." +</pre> + <p> + But if there is no desire to gainsay these views—only that certain + people, in their wish to recover that headship (9) which was once the + pride of our city, are persuaded that the accomplishment of their hopes is + to be found, not in peace but in war, I beg them to reflect on some + matters of history, and to begin at the beginning, (10) the Median war. + Was it by high-handed violence, or as benefactors of the Hellenes, that we + obtained the headship of the naval forces, and the trusteeship of the + treasury of Hellas? (11) Again, when through the too cruel exercise of her + presidency, as men thought, Athens was deprived of her empire, is it not + the case that even in those days, (12) as soon as we held aloof from + injustice we were once more reinstated by the islanders, of their own free + will, as presidents of the naval force? Nay, did not the very Thebans, in + return for certain benefits, grant to us Athenians to exercise leadership + over them? (13) And at another date the Lacedaemonans suffered us + Athenians to arrange the terms of hegemony (14) at our discretion, not as + driven to such submission, but in requital of kindly treatment. And + to-day, owing to the chaos (15) which reigns in Hellas, if I mistake not, + an opportunity has fallen to this city of winning back our fellow-Hellenes + without pain or peril or expense of any sort. It is given to us to try and + harmonise states which are at war with one another: it is given to us to + reconcile the differences of rival factions within those states + themselves, wherever existing. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (9) Lit. "her hegemony for the city," B.C. 476. + + (10) "And first of all." + + (11) See Thuc. i. 96. + + (12) B.C. 378. Second confederacy of Delos. See Grote, "H. G." x. 152. + + (13) B.C. 375. Cf. "Hell." V. iv. 62; Grote, "H. G." x. 139; Isocr. + "Or." xiv. 20; Diod. Sic. xv. 29. + + (14) B.C. 369 (al. B.C. 368). Cf. "Hell." VII. i. 14. + + (15) See "Hell."VII. v. 27. +</pre> + <p> + Make it but evident that we are minded to preserve the independence (16) + of the Delphic shrine in its primitive integrity, not by joining in any + war but by the moral force of embassies throughout the length and breadth + of Hellas—and I for one shall not be astonished if you find our + brother Hellenes of one sentiment and eager under seal of solemn oaths + (17) to proceed against those, whoever they may be, who shall seek (18) to + step into the place vacated by the Phocians and to occupy the sacred + shrine. Make it but evident that you intend to establish a general peace + by land and sea, and, if I mistake not, your efforts will find a response + in the hearts of all. There is no man but will pray for the salvation of + Athens next to that of his own fatherland. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (16) "Autonomy." + + (17) See Thuc. v. 18, clause 2 of the Treaty of Peace, B.C. 422-421. + + (18) Reading, with Zurborg, {peironto}. Or, if the vulgate + {epeironto}, transl. "against those who sought to step." +</pre> + <p> + Again, is any one persuaded that, looking solely to riches and + money-making, the state may find war more profitable than peace? If so, I + cannot conceive a better method to decide that question than to allow the + mind to revert (19) to the past history of the state and to note well the + sequence of events. He will discover that in times long gone by during a + period of peace vast wealth was stored up in the acropolis, the whole of + which was lavishly expended during a subsequent period of war. He will + perceive, if he examines closely, that even at the present time we are + suffering from its ill effects. Countless sources of revenue have failed, + or if they have still flowed in, been lavishly expended on a multiplicity + of things. Whereas, (20) now that peace is established by sea, our + revenues have expanded and the citizens of Athens have it in their power + to turn these to account as they like best. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (19) Reading {epanoskopoin}. + + (20) Or, "But the moment peace has been restored." +</pre> + <p> + But if you turn on me with the question, "Do you really mean that even in + the event of unjust attacks upon our city on the part of any, we are still + resolutely to observe peace towards that offender?" I answer distinctly, + No! But, on the contrary, I maintain that we shall all the more promptly + retaliate on such aggression in proportion as we have done no wrong to any + one ourselves. Since that will be to rob the aggressor of his allies. (21) + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (21) Reading, after Cobet, {ei medena uparkhoimen adikountes}. Or, if + the vulgate {ei medena parakhoimen adikounta}, transl. "if we can + show complete innocence on our own side." +</pre> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + But now, if none of these proposals be impracticable or even difficult of + execution; if rather by giving them effect we may conciliate further the + friendship of Hellas, whilst we strengthen our own administration and + increase our fame; if by the same means the people shall be provided with + the necessaries of life, and our rich men be relieved of expenditure on + war; if with the large surplus to be counted on, we are in a position to + conduct our festivals on an even grander scale than heretofore, to restore + our temples, to rebuild our forts and docks, and to reinstate in their + ancient privileges our priests, our senators, our magistrates, and our + knights—surely it were but reasonable to enter upon this project + speedily, so that we too, even in our own day, may witness the unclouded + dawn of prosperity in store for our city. + </p> + <p> + But if you are agreed to carry out this plan, there is one further counsel + which I would urge upon you. Send to Dodona and to Delphi, I would beg + you, and consult the will of Heaven whether such a provision and such a + policy on our part be truly to the interest of Athens both for the present + and for the time to come. If the consent of Heaven be thus obtained, we + ought then, I say, to put a further question: whose special favour among + the gods shall we seek to secure with a view to the happier execution of + these measures? + </p> + <p> + And in accordance with that answer, let us offer a sacrifice of happy omen + to the deities so named, and commence the work; since if these + transactions be so carried out with the will of God, have we not the right + to prognosticate some further advance in the path of political progress + for this whole state? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1179 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |