In the matter of imports we shall consider Athens in a double point of view; first as the purchaser of the surplus produce of the other Grecian states,[[1790]] and second as the representative of Greece in general, collecting together in her ports the commodities of the rest of the world, and afterwards distributing them among her neighbours. With the Megaris, which once formed part of her own territory, Athens, at particular periods of her history, carried on an active traffic in the common necessaries of life,—as groats,[[1791]] fish,[[1792]] salt,[[1793]] goats, vegetables,[[1794]] leverets, poultry, pigs, and cattle.[[1795]] Hemlock was likewise numbered among the exports of Megara,[[1796]] together with jars,[[1797]] and rough upper garments.[[1798]] It seems probable moreover that, as numerous sheep were reared in this territory, fine wool was likewise on occasions imported thence into Attica,[[1799]] together with the rich sweet wine made at Ægosthena.[[1800]]
From the various divisions of the Peloponnesos, which we may here regard as one country, several useful commodities were exported. In the matter of corn these divisions of Greece were alternately exporters and importers according, probably, to the fluctuations of the season or peculiar exigencies created by the accidents of peace or war.[[1801]] They perpetually, however, supplied their neighbours with cheese and wine, and various other articles of use or luxury.
The poet Alcman celebrates a fragrant wine produced in the vicinity of Sparta,[[1802]] but it is nowhere stated whether it was exported or not. The little state of Phlius produced likewise a superior wine which was esteemed at Athens.[[1803]] Laconia exported cheese, which, being shipped at Gythium,[[1804]] was commonly supposed to be made at that place. The cheese of Tromileia in Achaia enjoyed as great a reputation throughout Greece, as the Parmasan in modern Europe. It was remarkable for the extreme delicacy of its flavour, and was made from goat’s milk with the juice of the fig-tree instead of rennet.[[1805]] Sicyon carried on a considerable trade in salted conger.[[1806]]
Several medicinal plants were obtained from this part of Greece, as liquorice vetch[[1807]] found on the tops of lofty mountains where the snows lay unmelted during a considerable portion of the year. The canton which most abounded in this plant seems to have been the country round Pheneon in Arcadia.
In the neighbourhood of Psophis in the same state, the cultivation of the heraclean all-heal[[1808]] was carried on to a great extent, as Arcadia traded largely in this article of the materia medica. The juice was collected in two ways, and at two different seasons of the year; first from the root when the plant began to germinate in spring. A small trench having been excavated about it, an incision was made in the root and a number of broad leaves spread around to receive the liquor which flowed forth. This, at first white, assumed externally as it dried, a saffron hue. The second method was to make an incision in the stem about harvest-time, when the fluid appears tog have been collected in the same manner as before. Near Nonacris was obtained a poisonous water which distilled slowly like dew from a rock. It was of a sharp and icy coldness, and so bitter and acrid, that no vessel whatsoever could contain it save the hoof of an ass, in which accordingly it was preserved.[[1809]]
Among the poisons of the Peloponnesos was the root of the meadow-saffron,[[1810]] found chiefly in Messenia, where likewise grew the æthiopis, a plant used by magicians as well as by the children of Æsculapius.[[1811]] The centaury,[[1812]] likewise, and the seseli,[[1813]] were among the exports of this part of Greece.
From Arcadia were obtained large carbuncles,[[1814]] which were cut and polished into mirrors, with timber of all kinds,—as deal, larch, and pine, together with the smilax,[[1815]] which was sawed into thin planks, and used for necessary articles of furniture. The neighbourhood of Mantinea produced an excellent species of radish which was exported.[[1816]] Arcadia likewise produced, in its rich pastures, fine herds of cattle, together with asses and horses, no way inferior to those of Thessaly.[[1817]]
Argos exported also horses,[[1818]] with purple garments,[[1819]] wild boars,[[1820]] caldrons,[[1821]] shields,[[1822]] and richly varied carbuncles,[[1823]] found in the neighbourhood of Trœzen;[[1824]] Sicyon, pictures,[[1825]] wine,[[1826]] and a peculiar kind of shoe which looked well with white socks or stockings;[[1827]] Elis, magnificent horses,[[1828]] whips,[[1829]] flax,[[1830]] poisons, iris unguent,[[1831]] centaury from the skirts of Mount Pholoë,[[1832]] nenuphar,[[1833]] which was found growing on the river Anygros, and sea-coal, used chiefly by smiths;[[1834]] Achaia mistletoe, parsley,[[1835]] headnets, all kinds of fine linen, manufactured at Patræ,[[1836]] and the Pellenian cloaks,[[1837]] which were proposed as prizes in certain games. Epidauros was remarkable for its noble breed of horses;[[1838]] Corinth, which was frequently supplied with corn from Epeiros, itself exported[[1839]] carpets, ladies’ summer mantles, linen tunics,[[1840]] articles of virtu in bronze and gold,[[1841]] and carbuncles variegated like those of Trœzen, with purple and white, but of a paler hue.[[1842]] Quinces[[1843]] of the richest colour and finest flavour, were found in this part of the isthmus; and probably pears which were found every where else in Peloponnesos. Corinthia abounded also with large and excellent turnips, which were no doubt exported to the neighbouring countries.[[1844]]
Among the productions which Laconia[[1845]] supplied to commerce were a bearded and somewhat light wheat,[[1846]] cheese, rathe figs,[[1847]] cabbage, lettuces, cucumbers,[[1848]] which required much watering, the euphorbia, hemlock, second in virtue to that of Susa,[[1849]] clouded canes,[[1850]] beautiful green marbles,[[1851]] hones and emeralds from Mount Taygetos.[[1852]] The dogs of Sparta were highly prized by the rest of Greece,[[1853]] and exported largely for the chace; according to Shakespeare, as early as the age of Theseus.
My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind,