this issue
next article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: Attic Public Construction
Subtitle: Who were the Builders?
Author(s): EPSTEIN, Shimon
Journal: Ancient Society
Volume: 40    Date: 2010   
Pages: 1-14
DOI: 10.2143/AS.40.0.2056250

Abstract :
Metics are overrepresented in the Attic building accounts. It is argued that the real percentage of citizen builders was probably even lower. The author argues that the predominance of metics among the free Attic builders resulted from the occasional nature of Athenian large-scale construction activity. ln particular, he suggests that a significant proportion of these metics were relatively short-term visitors, attracted by the prospect of earning money in Athens. Accordingly, the proportion of citizen handicraftsmen attested in the Attic building inscriptions may not be representative of their role in Athenian crafts as a whole, including private building.

Download article