3. The third class included all whose possessions amounted to the
value of two talents, but did not reach six talents. Each was
entered in the schedule at the figure of twelve per cent. upon
his property.
4. The fourth class comprised all, from the minimum of
twenty-five minæ, but below the maximum of two talents. Each was
entered in the schedule for the amount of eight per cent. upon
his property.
This detail rests upon no positive proof; but it serves to
illustrate the principle of distribution, and of graduation, then
adopted.
Besides the taxable capitals of the citizens, thus graduated, the
schedule also included those of the metics or resident aliens; who
were each enrolled (without any difference of greater or smaller
property, above twenty-five minæ) at a taxable capital equal to
one-sixth of his actual property;[238] being a proportion less than
the richest class of citizens, and probably equal to the second
class in order of wealth. All these items summed up amounted to
five thousand seven hundred and fifty or six thousand talents,[239]
forming the aggregate schedule of taxable property; that is,
something near about six thousand talents. A property-tax was no part
of the regular ways and means of the state. It was imposed only on
special occasions; and whenever it was imposed, it was assessed upon
this schedule,—every man, rich or poor, being rated equally according
to his taxable capital as there entered. A property-tax of one per
cent. would thus produce sixty talents; two per cent., one hundred
and twenty talents, etc. It is highly probable that the exertions of
Athens during the archonship of Nausinikus, when this new schedule
was first prepared, may have caused a property-tax to be then
imposed, but we do not know to what amount.[240]
[238] Demosthen. cont. Androtion. p. 612, c. 17. τὸ ἑκτὸν μέρος
εἰσφέρειν μετὰ τῶν μετοίκων.
[239] Polybius states the former sum (ii, 62), Demosthenes the
latter (De Symmoriis, p. 183, c. 6). Boeckh however has shown,
that Polybius did not correctly conceive what the sum which he
stated really meant.
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