Agriculture was the central economic activity of ancient Greece. The authors of this thorough and lucid introduction describe and discuss the natural conditions, the techniques, the plants cultivated and the animals reared. They demonstrate how agriculture fitted into the society of gods and men in the Greek city-states.

Agriculture was the main source of living in Ancient Greece and this book provides a broad introduction to ancient Greek agriculture. The initial focus is firmly on the art of agriculture proper - the tools and the techniques, the plants cultivated and the animals reared - thereafter the book examines the position of agriculture in the society of gods and men in the Greek city-states. In the epilogue it is stated that Greek agriculture in the period of the city-states was rather primitive and the authors question the view which maintains that agriciulture was the main source not only of living but also of wealth in Ancient Greece. The book's arguments are strengthened by its close adherence to contemporary Greek sources, literary as well as archaeological, avoiding the use of later as well as of Roman material.

Classica et Mediaevalia - Volume 49

Classica et Mediaevalia - Volume 48