CHAPTER III PLATO

by making undue acquisition difficult or even impossible for the citizens. All money-making occupations are practically closed to them³⁴¹—trade,³⁴² the mechanical arts,³⁴³ and even agriculture, so far as their own personal work is concerned. The latter is given over to slaves,³⁴⁴ the arts and trade to aliens, with strict limitations to be enforced by the officers of the market.³⁴⁵ As seen above, two-thirds of the farm products are not to be subject to commercial dealings.³⁴⁶ The loan of money at interest is forbidden, and he who disobeys will risk the loss of both principal and interest.³⁴⁷ A bulky coinage of baser metal is provided for the daily use of private citizens, such as will not pass current in another country.³⁴⁸ No dowries are to be given or received,³⁴⁹ and there shall be no hoarding, but the entire produce of the lots must be annually distributed for consumption among the whole population of the state.³⁵⁰ To make assurance doubly sure, Plato prohibits his citizens from owning personal property above four times the value of the lot,³⁵¹ or four minas.³⁵² Any amount in excess of this must be handed over to the state on pain of severe fine for disobedience.³⁵³ This is to be accomplished by the regulation that all property except the lot must be publicly registered, and failure to fulfil this obligation entails the loss of all but the original lot, and public disgrace.³⁵⁴