Our most detailed information about the role of banks in Athens comes from the fourth century B.C. There are several references to banks in the story of Pasio, Phormio and the period's most famous bank. It is a story that tells us a good deal about, in particular, the social and economic position of slaves and women as far as transfer of property was concerned, in the case in question, that of banking.
The bank originally belonged to two Athenians (Archestratos
and Antisthenes), whose slave Pasio was. As time went by, Pasio
was given his freedom and put in charge of the bank. He succeeded
in obtaining Athenian citizenship and becoming the bank's owner.
He married a lady called Archippe and had two sons by her
(Apollodoros and Pasikles).
Later on, Pasio acquired a slave called Phormio, whom he freed
and set to work as treasurer in the bank. Shortly before his
death in 370-69 B.C., Pasio rented the bank out to Phormio on an
eight-year lease. When Pasio died, under the terms of his will
Phormio undertook to look after his young son, and married
Archippe, acquiring a dowry of three talents and four thousand
drachmae. This marriage produced two sons. In the year that
Archippe died (361/0 B.C.), Phormio obtained Athenian citizenship
and continued his banking activities.
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