In this ground-breaking analysis of the world's first private banks,
Edward Cohen convincingly demonstrates the existence and functioning of
a market economy in ancient Athens while revising our understanding of
the society itself. Challenging the "primitivistic" view, in which
bankers are merely pawnbrokers and money-changers, Cohen reveals that
fourth-century Athenian bankers pursued sophisticated transactions.
Special emphasis is placed on the reflection of Athenian cognitive
patterns in financial practices. Cohen shows how transactions were
affected by the complementary opposites embedded in the very structure
of Athenian language and thought. In turn, his analysis offers great
insight into daily Athenian reality and cultural organization".Cohen
embodies a role of traditional relevance in research on classical
antiquity, but one that is increasingly a rarity: he is a man of
affairs' who brings his practical, professional experience to bear on
his historical research". Thomas J. Figueira, Bryn Mawr Classical
Review"[Cohen] possesses an impressive knowledge of the relevant
classical and modern literature as well as a close practical
acquaintance with contemporary banking, an unusual but fortuitous set of
qualifications.... Highly readable and contains a wealth of interesting
details on social conditions generally". John R. Love, American
Historical Review"A thoroughly documented and imaginatively argued book
that will mark a new stage in the study of Athenian banking". David C.
Mirhady, Classical World
