Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

This chapter describes events in the period between the Persian War and the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, during which brutal conditions exist for slaves involved in silver mining. Having no possibility for manumission, they still yearn for freedom and escape from bondage. These slaves from the mines and those in the urban sector provide the means for the growing Athenian imperialism. This economically benefits both rich and poor Athenians.

The imperialistic quest of the Athenians is now directed at other Greek city-states. This leads to war, eventually. The Athenians manage to hold together their system of democracy, until it is destroyed by the Macedonians in 322 B.C. At the end of the war in 230 B.C., Athens establishes a democratic republic, bringing their imperialism to an end.

The contemporaneous development of slavery and the concept of freedom characterize ancient Athens...