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This chapter discusses the role of the Athenian government in silver mining, the revenue it accrued from it and the role of silver in the economy of the polis, as well as to explain the absence of the government from export itself. The revenue from the silver mines certainly played a major role in the finances of the Athenian state. For the majority of states, the influence of their products on their economy, their exportability and the views of contemporaries have been lost. For Athens and silver, however, Xenophons Ways and Means offers glimpses not only of silvers importance in the Athenian economy as an export, but also on the contemporary views of the industry. The laws of supply and demand, made silver the major Athenian commodity.
Keywords: Athenian silver mining; Xenophon