THE GREEK RIDING-HORSE. ^JJ 



seem low to us ; but it should be remembered 

 that the cheapness of a given article is rela- 

 tive to the cost of other articles at the time 

 in question. In Greek antiquity, the neces- 

 saries of life were in general to be bought for 

 comparatively less money than at the pres- 

 ent day. A house cost from three to one 

 hundred and twenty minae ($54 to ^2,160), 

 according to its size, situation, and condition ; 

 perhaps an average price was from ten to 

 forty minae ($180 to $720). Barley cost 

 two drachmae the mcdimmis (thirty-six cents 

 for a bushel and a half) ; wheat, three 

 drachmae (fifty-four cents). An ox could be 

 had for from fifty to one hundred drachmae 

 (nine to eighteen dollars) ; a sheep, for ten 

 to twenty drachmae ; a sucking pig, for three 

 drachmae; a lamb, for ten drachmae. For 

 the usual garment of the working classes the 

 same price was paid as for a lamb ($1.80); 

 for a cloak, such as cavalrymen wore, twelve 

 drachmae ($2.16). These prices are gleaned 

 by Boeckh * here and there throughout the 

 literature. A comparison of them makes it 

 evident that a horse was an expensive piece 



* In " Die Staatshaushaltung der Athener." 



