Labour. Estates overseas 39 



let us look further. The stress of the great war had increased the 

 city population. The increased demand for imported foodstuffs and 

 for materials of war (such as ship-timber) had undoubtedly increased 

 the demand for dock-labourers, boatmen, porters, carters, and other 

 ' hands.' Male citizens had enough to do in services by land and sea. 

 From what source was the extra force of rough able-bodied labour 

 recruited ? Is it likely that a number of raw barbarian slaves were 

 imported for the purpose ? I think not ; time would be needed to 

 make them efficient, and the available shipping had already a difficult 

 task to keep up the supply of indispensable goods. Is it not much 

 more likely that rustic slaves, brought into Athens by their owners, 

 were turned to account 1 in another department of labour, thus 

 earning wages for themselves while they maintained their masters? 

 The probability of this view will depend largely on proof that rustic 

 slaves were employed in 'Attica under normal conditions at this 

 time. We shall presently see how the evidence of Aristophanes bears 

 on the point. 



Meanwhile let us see what references to agriculture are to be found in 

 this pamphlet. In speaking of the nautical skill 2 now a common accom- 

 plishment among Athenians, the writer remarks that the possession 

 of estates abroad, and the duties of offices concerned with external 

 affairs, have something to do with it. Men have to cross the water: 

 they and their attendants (dicoXovOoi) thus pick up skill by experience 

 without intending it: for it happens time and again that both master 

 and slave (/cal avrov ical rbv ol/cerrjv) have to take a turn at the oar. 

 The estates referred to are chiefly state-lands allotted to Athenian 

 cleruchs in confiscated districts, but also private properties. The 

 voyages to and fro are nothing exceptional. Whether a man resided 

 on his estate and had need to visit Athens, or whether he resided in 

 Athens and had to visit his estate from time to time, he must go to 

 sea. It is to be borne in mind that allottees in cleruchies often let their 

 lands to the former owners as tenants. In another passage 3 he points 

 out the disadvantage to Athens, as a maritime power, of not being on 

 an island and so secure from invasion. 'As things are, those Athenians 

 who farm land or are wealthy (ol yecopyovvres KOI ol Tr\ovcrt,oi) are more 

 inclined to conciliate the enemy (virep^ovrai = cringe to), while the 

 Demos, well aware that their own belongings are in no danger of de- 

 struction, is unconcerned and defiant.' A notable admission, confirmed 

 by other evidence, as we shall see. It is to be observed that farmers 



1 In i 17 it is notable that among those who gain by concentration of business at Athens 

 is el' Ty fcvyos <TTLV ^ avdpairodov fjucrdotftopovv. Country carts would now be plentiful in 

 Athens. 



2 i 19- 3 2 14 



