Ways and Means

Xenophon, creator; Xenophontis Opera omnia Volume V Opuscula; Marchant, E. C. (Edgar Cardew), 1864-1960, editor

Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a treatise proposing concrete economic and financial reforms to resolve Athens' chronic fiscal deficit and ensure the self-sufficiency of its citizens. The author begins by highlighting Attica's favorable natural environment and geographical advantages, demonstrating that the foundation for national recovery already exists. He then proposes attracting more resident aliens (metoikoi) by improving their treatment, alongside promoting trade through public investment in port and market infrastructure. Furthermore, focusing on the inexhaustible value of the Laurion silver mines, the author details a unique mining scheme where the state owns and leases slaves, while also presenting security measures to protect these mines during wartime. To realize these reforms and restore Athenian prosperity and hegemony, he argues that maintaining peace is essential and advocates for the establishment of peace guardians. Finally, he concludes that these plans should be implemented after obtaining the gods' approval through oracles, thereby securing lasting safety and prosperity for the state.