Athens and the Cyclades : Economic Strategies 540-314 BC

"In Athens and the Cyclades: Economic Strategies 540-314 BC, Brian Rutishauser examines the history and economy of the island region known as the Cyclades during the late sixth to late fourth centuries BC. While certain aspects of geography in the Cyclades remained constant through ancient Greek history, the islanders were able to adapt to changing conditions and to changing hegemony imposed from outside the region, in order to increase economic prosperity. By the time of the Persian Wars many of these islands had their own naval forces, coinage, and monumental architecture. During the fifth century Athens established a naval hegemony over the region, which put an end to these practices. Until the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians maintained stability but redirected wealth generated from commerce and the export of local island products through the payment of tribute and other forms of taxation. The end of the Peloponnesian War saw a period of Spartan rule, followed by a resurgence of Athenian power and a period of shifting hegemonies. During the second half of the fourth century, many of the Cyclades renewed local monumental construction and the issue of local coinage. The Cyclades may have prospered during this period due to their mutual economic interests with Athens, a symbiotic relationship which persisted after the collapse of the Second Athenian League to the end of Athenian control of the temple of Delian Apollo."--Publisher's website This book examines the history and economy of the region of the Cyclades during the late sixth through late fourth centuries bc . Although certain aspects of geography in the Cyclades remained constant through ancient Greek history, islanders were able to adapt to changing conditions and to changing hegemony imposed from outside the region, in order to increase their levels of economic prosperity. By the end of the Archaic period, many of these islands had constructed their own naval forces and monumental architecture, and also minted their own coins. Athens established a naval hegemony over the region during the fifth century, which eventually put an end to independent navies and coinage and set the tone for conditions in the Cyclades until the end of the Classical period. Until the Peloponnesian War the Athenians maintained stability but redirected a portion of the wealth generated from the export of local island products and from commerce to Athens, through the exaction of tribute and other forms of taxation. The end of the Peloponnesian War saw a period of shifting hegemonies during the early fourth century, the most influential being the Second Athenian League. After this second period of Athenian hegemony came to an end, the Cyclades renewed local monumental construction and the issue of local coinage during the second half of the fourth century. This took place at a time when Athens became more dependent upon grain, including grain shipped on routes through the Cyclades, and when the Athenians took steps to promote commerce. The Cyclades prospered during this period due to their mutual economic interests with Athens