Coping with Chronic Warfare : The Athenian Experience
In Classical Athens, being at war was more common than peace. The military expenditures were correspondingly large. The main puzzle, however, is notfinancial, but where the Athenians found the multitude of rowers needed for their ships. It was not until the end of the Peloponnesian War that there were good reasons to use slaves as rowers. The Spartan occupation of Decelea in 413 BCE had profound eIn Classical Athens, being at war was more common than peace. The military expenditures were correspondingly large. The main puzzle, however, is not financial, but where the Athenians found the multitude of rowers needed for their ships. It was not until the end of the Peloponnesian War that there were good reasons to use slaves as rowers. The Spartan occupation of Decelea in 413 BCE had profound