On The Athenian Metics

The word "Metics" firstly appeared in Aeschylus' The Persians. But actually, in the time of Solon the so-called "Metics" presented themselves at Athens. However, at that time they were not called "Metics" and did not form a certain size. In classical period, the Athenian metics gradually became the main class inferior to the citizens. The Athenian metics are those who came from the foreign city beyond Athens, lived in Athens over one month and had to pay the poll tax. The Athenian metics were protected in person by Athenian law to a certain extant and had the privilege of trading freely, even some of them had a high social status, but they had no citizenship and were excluded from the public affairs by the citizens.The foreign scholars discuss more about the role, contributions and the relationship between the citizens and slaves; in domestic scholarship, there are no detailed and in-depth discussions about the Athenian metics. In this dissertation, I aim to provide an investigation on the special role and contribution of the Athenian metics in the whole city-state through the analysis of the difference between the citizens and the slaves, etc. But I must say that because of the limitation of the materials available to me, this dissertation should be perfected in the future.My thesis is divided into six parts: In the introduction, I present briefly the main contents of this thesis, the angle of the topic and the issues of the scholarship on this topic. In the first chapter, I explain the meaning of the metics from etymology and the different definitions given by the classical writers; in the second chapter, I discuss briefly the different situations of the metics in different times; in the third chapter, from the angle of politics, economy, law, society and military activity, I elaborate the status of the Athenian metics in contrast with the other categories; In the fourth chapter, I discuss the role and contribution of the metics mainly in the field of economy, intellectual and military service.My conclusion is that the Athenian metics were indispensable in the system of Athenian city-state. They played a special and important role in the prosperity of classical Athens and promoted the development of Athenian democracy indirectly. Moreover, the Athenian metics allowed the citizens have the leisure to devote their lives to the public affairs by supporting them through men and resources.