Although we have above glanced slightly at the exports and imports of Athens and several other states, we ought here perhaps to enter into greater detail, for the purpose of rendering as complete as possible our idea of the vigorous and extensive commerce carried on by the Greeks. It will not of course be understood, that all the articles enumerated in the present chapters constituted at any one time the floating materials of Hellenic trade; the probability being, that some grew out of fashion and were succeeded by others, for which at a later period they may again have been substituted. But the mind must suppose itself to be dealing with the whole extent of authentic Grecian history, within the limits of which it will be found, that everything we here mention was trafficked in, though it seems to be now impossible to observe in these matters a strict chronology and fix the epoch at which each particular commodity came into vogue, or was abandoned for something else. Attica itself exported comparatively few of its own natural productions;[1751] but having obtained the raw materials from other regions, it expended upon them so much skill, and taste, and industry, that they appeared to undergo a new creation, and were issued from the Peiræeus like the native growth of the soil. This was the case with various kinds of arms and armour, as sabres, and scimitars, greaves, cuirasses, and helmets.[1752] These were sometimes richly gilt or inlaid with gold, and adorned with embossed figures of rare workmanship.[1753] ----- Footnote 1751: Observing the plenty and prosperity always found in free states, Sir Josiah Child observes, that good laws are sufficient of themselves to render any region fertile. Discourse of Trade, p. 24. Among the best productions of Attica was its barley, though I nowhere remember to have seen it said that it was exported: Ἀθήνῃσι δ᾽οὖν αἱ κριθαὶ τὰ πλεῖστα ποιοῦσι τὰ ἄλφιτα· κριθοφόρος γὰρ ἀρίστη. Theoph. Hist. Plant. viii. 8. 2. Footnote 1752: Εὐδόκιμα δὲ, θώραξ Ἀττικουργὴς. Poll. i. 149. Footnote 1753: Ἕνιοι μέντοι τοὺς ποικίλους καὶ τοὺς ἐπιχρύσους θώρακας μᾶλλον ὠνοῦνται. Xenoph. Memor. iii. 10. 14. ----- Perfumes,[1754] also, with unguents and essences,[1755] and odoriferous oils were among the exports of Athens, which, indeed, at one period retailed to the rest of Greece the manufactures of every country in the civilised world. ----- Footnote 1754: Μύρον ἐξ Ἀθηνῶν. ap. Athen. i. 49. ----- Among the articles of merchandise,[1756] the peculiar produce of her own soil, were the fragrant gold-coloured honey of Hymettos, the best in the ancient world; olives, and olive oil,[1757] which likewise appear to have been unrivalled; fruits of various kinds, but more especially figs,[1758] which were transported to Persia and most of the other regions of the East.[1759] ----- Footnote 1755: Τὸ δὲ Παναθηναϊκὸν λεγόμενον ἐν Ἀθήναις. Athen. xv. 38. Footnote 1756: