On Revenues

"On Revenues" by Xenophon is a historical treatise written in the 4th century BC, examining the economic strategies that could alleviate poverty in Athens and improve its financial stability. The book discusses various sources of revenue, such as agriculture, mining, and trade, and proposes policies to enhance these areas, aiming to bolster the city's economy and foster better relations with its allies. In "On Revenues," Xenophon outlines several practical proposals for increasing Athens' wealth, emphasizing the potential of utilizing the natural resources of Attica, particularly its silver mines. He examines the benefits of improving the management of resident aliens and encourages constructing public facilities to attract more traders and visitors. Xenophon also suggests organizing state-operated ventures in the mining sector to ensure a steady supply of labor and resources. Ultimately, his recommendations center around the idea that a prosperous, self-sufficient Athens will reduce the injustices faced by its citizens and improve the city's relationships with its allies, fostering a more prosperous society overall. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Xenophon of Athens was a Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian. At the age of 30, he was elected as one of the leaders of the retreating Greek mercenaries, the Ten Thousand, who had been part of Cyrus's attempt to seize control of the Achaemenid Empire. As the military historian Theodore Ayrault Dodge wrote, "the centuries since have devised nothing to surpass the genius of this warrior". Xenophon established precedents for many logistical operations and was among the first to describe strategic flanking maneuvers and feints in combat.