Financing the Athenian Fleet: Public Taxation and Social Relations

by Vincent Gabrielsen

Overview

To meet the enormous expenses of maintaining its powerful navy, democratic Athens gave wealthy citizens responsibility for financing and commanding the fleet. Known as trierarchs—literally, ship commanders—they bore the expenses of maintaining and repairing the ships, as well as recruiting and provisioning their crews. The trierarchy grew into a powerful social institution that was indispensable to Athens and primarily responsible for the city's naval prowess in the classical period.

Financing the Athenian Fleet is the first full-length study of the financial, logistical, and social organization of the Athenian navy. Using a rich variety of sources, particularly the enormous body of inscriptions that served as naval records, Vincent Gabrielsen examines the development and function of the Athenian trierarchy and revises our understanding of the social, political, and ideological mechanisms of which that institution was a part. Exploring the workings, ships, and gear of Athens' navy, Gabrielsen explains how a huge, costly, and highly effective operation was run thanks to the voluntary service and contributions of the wealthy trierarchs. He concludes with a discussion of the broader implications of the relationship between Athens' democracy and its wealthiest citizens.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801899300
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	11/01/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	328
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Vincent Gabrielsen is a professor of ancient history at the University of Copenhagen. Born in Piraeus, Greece, he is the author of Remuneration of State Officials in Fourth Century BC Athens.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I: The Establishment of the Institution
1. The Origin of the Trierarchy
Part II: Qualifications for the Trierarchy
2. Qualifications by Wealth
3. Appointment
4. Exemptions
Part III: Financial Responsibilities
5. The Crew
6. The Ship
7. The Equipment
Part IV: Institutional Transformation
8. The Reforms
Epilogue
Appendix: Standard Equipment
Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This is a marvelous book: an original, well-researched, and compelling treatment of the financial organization of the Atheniannavy, from which Gabrielsen expands our understanding of the functioning of Athens' democratic government. In particular, he addresses the topic of how democracy induced its richer members not to hide their money but to spend it on behalf of Athens. Gabrielsen has mastered a rich body of unusual—and fundamental—material which he presents with clarity and intelligence. This book is a major contribution to Athenian social history.
—Robert Wallace, Northwestern University

Robert Wallace

This is a marvelous book: an original, well-researched, and compelling treatment of the financial organization of the Atheniannavy, from which Gabrielsen expands our understanding of the functioning of Athens' democratic government. In particular, he addresses the topic of how democracy induced its richer members not to hide their money but to spend it on behalf of Athens. Gabrielsen has mastered a rich body of unusual—and fundamental—material which he presents with clarity and intelligence. This book is a major contribution to Athenian social history.

Editorial Reviews

In order to keep its powerful navy afloat, democratic Athens charged its leading citizens to finance the maintenance and repair of the ships and the recruitment and provisioning of the crews. Using naval records and other sources, Gabrielsen (classics, U. of Copenhagen) shows how the mechanisms worked and how the class of trierarch fit into the larger society and grew into a powerful institution. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

A very valuable book. Gabrielsen offers a comprehensive and careful investigation of the trierarchy which goes beyond the reconstruction of fiscals and military realia to place the institution in its social context.
—Greece and Rome

All will appreciate the significance of Gabrielsen's book, for he has demonstrated, more clearly than his predecessors in the study of the trierarchy, the delicate balance between the state and the 'private sector' in this supreme military installation.
—Mark Munn, American Historical Review

From the Publisher

A very valuable book. Gabrielsen offers a comprehensive and careful investigation of the trierarchy which goes beyond the reconstruction of fiscals and military realia to place the institution in its social context.

Greece and Rome

All will appreciate the significance of Gabrielsen's book, for he has demonstrated, more clearly than his predecessors in the study of the trierarchy, the delicate balance between the state and the 'private sector' in this supreme military installation.

American Historical Review - Mark Munn

All will appreciate the significance of Gabrielsen's book, for he has demonstrated, more clearly than his predecessors in the study of the trierarchy, the delicate balance between the state and the 'private sector' in this supreme military installation.

— Mark Munn

American Historical Review