On Revenues

In this concise treatise, a seasoned Athenian statesman—once a student of Socrates and later an exile who lived among Spartans and Corinthians—turns his experience toward a pressing civic dilemma. He observes that Athens’ chronic poverty fuels resentment among its allied cities, providing a convenient excuse for exploitation. Seeking a practical remedy, he sets out to examine whether the city can sustain itself solely on the wealth of its own territory. His inquiry is framed as a direct response to contemporary accusations of injustice.

He quickly charts Attica’s natural gifts: a mild climate that yields abundant fruit, fertile soils that out‑produce neighboring regions, and a coastline that offers generous catches. Beneath the hills lie rich marble quarries prized across the Mediterranean, while veins of silver promise untapped mineral wealth. By arguing that these resources could finance the polis without external tribute, he presents a vision of economic independence that might dissolve the fear and hostility felt by Athens’ partners. The pamphlet blends practical observation with a broader moral claim that a well‑fed citizenry is the foundation for fair governance.