However, in contrast to the categorical position of Aristotle regarding the underestimated role of trade, it is known from archaeological finds that since the Instances of aristocrats who through representatives bore an indirect relation to trade were few. Initially, members of the aristocratic class did not participate in transactions, nor in manual occupations, because these were considered activities that did not honour those who engaged in them (Herodotus, Historia 2.167). In one extract, Heraclides Ponticus mentions the laws that were in force in Thespiae, Thebes and Boeotia, from which results that aristocrats were excluded from having any contact with the above occupations (Heraclides Ponticus, FHG extract 43). As a result, the aristocracy had time to engage in government, judicial and military affairs. They could travel for commercial reasons, in order to obtain goods for personal use or consumption, without risking their social status. But buying and selling products with the sole purpose of profit was not allowed to an aristocrat. |
Since the
During this period trade is also related to piracy, which is associated with an important source of income, the slave trade. Most islands' inhabitants, such as Aegina, Crete and Samos, occupied themselves in it since very early times.
In the Archaic period, Aegina presented something new for the Greek mainland, the coinage.
Men negociated the buying and selling of products, while women belonging to economically weak classes were employed in their promotion. There was a law by Solon saying that, if someone talked rudely to a man or woman who worked in the market, he could be sued for slander. That could be considered as indicative of a certain negative predisposition from a part of well-off citizens, which was expressed through insults and taunts towards poorer fellow-citizens who traded in the market.
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