There were six agoranomoi (market officials) in
the fifth century, ten in the first half of the fourth
century. Their duties were posted in front of the Agoranomion
(Market Officials' House) in the Athenian marketplace.
These included supervising: the market area;
the conduct of persons circulating in it; and the goods
on sale. The agoranomoi also enjoyed certain
powers of a judicial nature, such as for instance being
able to impose a fine. Lastly, they were responsible for
collecting certain taxes, such as: |
There were ten of these in all: five for the city of
Athens and five for the port of the Piraeus. This we know
from Aristotle (Ath.Pol. 51.2). They were
responsible for traders' proper use of public weights and
measures. |
The grain trade at Athens was supervised by special officials. These were originally six, but later (between 375/4 and 348 B.C.), their number was increased to ten. Their duties were 1) to decide the weight of bread, and 2) to monitor grain-merchants and bakers to make sure their goods were being sold at the correct price. They could also impose an on-the-spot fine of up to ten drachmae, and could try cases in the Odeion [Odeum].
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