AnalysisEthicsGeneralHistoricalSociety
Only the richest ancient Athenians paid taxes – and they bragged about it
In ancient Athens, only the very wealthiest people paid direct taxes, and these went to fund the city-state’s most important national expenses – the navy and honors for the gods.
While today it might sound astonishing, most of these top taxpayers not only paid happily, but boasted about how much they paid.
- Thomas Martin
- The Conversation
Money was just as important to the ancient Athenians as it is to …