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Poiesis brings together archaeological finds, ancient texts and inscriptions, recent scholarly analysis, and the expertise of modern craftsmen to investigate every known facet of Athens' manufacturing activities. Despite the fact that Athenians consumed great quantities of manufactured goods, and around half of the residents of classical Athens can be shown to have been dependent for survival on manufacturing in some form, the subject has been almost completely neglected by historians. The book draws on the analytical techniques of contemporary business economics--supply and demand, competition theory, and risk-return analysis--to explain events and choices. Manufacturing operations are classified in an original framework that explains why certain segments were suited to the sole craftsman and others to teams of slaves, and deduces earnings potential based upon barriers to entry and competitive differentiation. The result is a new and refreshing angle on how Athenian society operated that complements political, military, and literary perspectives, with important and often surprising implications. Among other insights the analysis shows how fragmented industry structures were fundamental to the workings of Athenian democracy by enabling citizens to supplement their income through casual manufacturing activity.
List of contents
- Foreword
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- A. Athens, the Manufacturing City
- B. Original Sources
- i. Ancient Literature
- ii. Archaeology and Epigraphy
- C. Methodology
- i. Embeddedness and Empirical Analysis
- ii. Theories of Firm Size
- iii. The Theory of Competitive Advantage
- iv. Competitive Advantage and Industry Structure
- v. Applying the Competitive Advantage Framework
- Chapter 2: Industry Formation
- A. Early Manufacturing
- B. Homer and the Households of the Rich
- C. Hesiod and the Peasant Economy
- D. Empirical Evidence
- i. Metalworking
- ii. Leatherwork
- iii. Cosmetics and Perfumes
- iv. Textiles
- E. Supply and Demand in a Competitive Market
- Chapter 3: The Pottery Industry
- A. The Evidence
- i. Original Texts
- ii. Pots
- iii. Potteries and Kilns
- iv. Stamps and Graffiti
- v. Vase Paintings
- B. Industry and Workshop Size
- C. Labour Force
- i. The Process of Making Pots
- ii. Staffing Needs
- iii. Justifying a Full-Time Team
- D. Bases for Differentiation
- E. Subsequent Changes in Competitive Dynamics and Industry Structure
- F. Summary
- Chapter 4: Mining, Metals and Armour
- A. Mining
- B. Ore Processing
- C. General Metalworking
- D. Jewellery and Ornaments
- E. Coinage
- F. Bronze Armour
- G. Shield Manufacture
- H. Knives
- I. Summary
- Chapter 5: Textiles, Clothing and Footwear
- A. Textiles and Clothing
- i. Spinning and Weaving
- ii. Scouring and Finishing
- B. Footwear
- i. Tanning
- ii. Shoemaking
- C. Summary
- Chapter 6: Woodworking
- A. Furniture
- B. General and Specialised Woodworking Segments
- C. Boat Building
- i. The Trireme: Development and Configuration
- ii. Responsibility for Building Triremes
- iii. Manufacturing: the Hull
- iv. Manufacturing: Components
- v. Shipbuilding and Supplying Industries
- D. Summary
- Chapter 7: Construction Industries
- A. Public Buildings
- B. Monumental Statues
- C. Private Housing and Infrastructure
- D. Summary
- Chapter 8: Food, Drink and Personal Care
- A. Agricultural Products
- i. The Athenian Diet
- ii. Processing
- iii. Food Service
- B. Cosmetics, Perfumes and Medicines
- C. Summary
- Chapter 9: Athens' Manufacturers
- A. Citizen Investors
- B. Citizen Craftsmen
- C. Women
- D. Foreign Residents
- E. Slaves
- Coda
- Athenian Currency
- Appendix: Quantifying Manufacturing Preparation
- A. Supply Analysis
- B. Demand Analysis
- Secondary Sources
- Photo Credits
- Index
About the author
Peter Acton has a degree in Classics from Oxford University, an MBA from Stanford Business School, and a Ph.D. in Ancient History from the University of Melbourne. He was a Vice President of The Boston Consulting Group from 1986 to 1999.
Summary
Brings together ancient texts and inscriptions, recent scholarly analysis, archaeological finds, and the expertise of modern craftsmen to investigate all that can be known of Athens' manufacturing activities
Additional text
a beautifully written, fully documented work of the very highest importance -- a real game-changer in our understanding of the ancient economy.
