The term economy which derive from Greek word (οίκος – "household" and νέμoμαι – "manage") can be defined as an area of the production, distribution, or trade, and consumption of goods and services by different agents. Economy of ancient Greece mostly driven by four source of revenues which are agriculture, crafts, trades and taxation. However, trades involving importing goods are most likely defining the economy of ancient Greece where the contacts spread through Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Agriculture on the hand, contributed the least for ancient Greece economy due to poor quality of Greek soil which become of the major problem back then due to shortage of foods and crops. Nevertheless, despite the agriculture sectors are not prosper as much as the others, ancient Greek are known for their olives (symbol of wealth) and grapevine which part of the exports. Agriculture sectors are run based on labor-intensive method lead by peasant and slaves while the Aristocrats benefit the biggest portion as its revenue as they are known for being landowner. As in the Archaic period, the most important economic sector was still tied to the land and the majority of agriculture continued to be carried out on the subsistence level by numerous small family farms, even though the distribution of land among the population was far from equal. Primary crops were grains, mostly barley but also some wheat, which were usually sown on a two-year fallowing cycle. Olives and grapes were also widely produced throughout Greece on land unsuitable for grains. Animal husbandry focused on sheep and goats, which could be moved from their winter lowland pasturage to the moister and cooler mountainous regions during the hot summer months. Cattle, horses, and donkeys, though less numerous, were also significant. While usually sufficient to support the population of ancient Greece, unpredictable rainfall made agriculture precarious and there is much evidence for periodic crop failures, shortages, and famines. Consequently, competition for fertile land was a hallmark of Greek history and the cause of much social and political strife within and between city-states. Aristocrats wealth in the ancient Greek period are not measured through silver and gold due to relatively scarce resource but through land and livestock. Livestock such sheep and goats serve as sources of protein for most parts of the Greek civilization which are not connected to the river or sea.
To compensate with poor quality of soil, ancient Greek civilization are grace with talented artisans and craftsmanship that meet high demand in the markets both domestic and international. Crafting
Economy in Sparta
Sparta was the capital of the city-state of Lacedaemon. It was prospered with natural resources such as copper and tin mines, having good access to sea trading route, high quality soil for agriculture compared to the other area or land in Greek civilization. Despite for being well known for its military power and savage society, Spartan do have excellent economy status. To understand the Spartan economy, however, it is necessary to go back to the origins of the city. The Spartan citizens – often called Spartiates – were the descendants of Doric invaders who came to the Peloponnese in the 9th century BC. Although there is no written record, it is evident that rather than exterminating or enslaving the native population, as was more common at the time, the Spartans allowed the conquered inhabitants to continue to live and work in Laconia. While they were not citizens and so not politically enfranchised, they enjoyed far more rights and higher status than chattel slaves. These peoples were divided into two broad categories: the residents of other towns, who enjoyed a free but dependent status as perioikoi, and the peasants, who endured a far more restricted status as helots.
Sparta has a law such that Spartan, a citizen of Sparta, cannot pursue any pursue any other profession other being part of the army. Perioikoi however, despite being non-citizen of Sparta, were allowed to engage in any profession other than military, and has monopolized the economy of Lacedaemon (from manufacturing to trading) with a requirement which they have to provides troops in time of war. They were also play an important role towards Sparta politics and economy to the nearby civilization.
Helot or peasant or rural population, are ruled under stricter law compared to Perioikoi despite being a citizen of Lacedaemon. They were more like second-class citizen, treated poorly and has to pay 50% or their incomes or revenue to the government. Government of Lacedaemon on regular basis, declared war on helot prevent the any rebellious act and control the helots. Despite of all of harshness, helots do have a better life compared to slaves who basically own nothing and has to obey their master. Helots were allowed to engage in any profession and having family of themselves