Note A3-6-1 — Chapter III

The fact that among the ancients there was so little thought bestowed on the protection of industry is related to the comparative insignificance of their industry. Compare Roscher, Ansichten der Volkswirthschaft, 3 ed., 1878, vol. 1, p. 23 ff. It occasionally happened in the east that workers in metal, especially the makers of metallic weapons, were dragged out of the country. I Sam., 13, 19; II Kings, 24, 14 ff.; Jerem., 24, 1, 29, 2. Among the Jews, certain costly products were subjected to export prohibitions for fear that the heathen might use them for purposes of sacrifice. (Mischna, De Cultu peregr., § 6.) Persian law, that the king should consume only home products: Athen., V, p. 372; XIV, p. c. 62. The Athenians went farthest in reducing such provisions to a system. Solon had strictly prohibited the exportation of all raw material save oil (Plutarch, Sol., 24), and a complaint was allowed against any one who scoffed at a citizen because of the industry he carried on in the market. (Demosth., adv. Eubul., p. 1308.) The exportation of corn was always prohibited; also that of the principal materials used in ship-building. In war, prohibitions of the exportation of weapons; importation from enemy countries also prohibited. No Athenian was permitted to loan money on ships which did not bring a return cargo to Athens (Demosth. adv. Lacrit., p. 941), nor carry wheat to any place but Athens. (Böckh., Staatsh. der Ath., I, 73 ff.) In Argos and Ægina, the importation of Athenian clay commodities and articles of adornment, prohibited. (Herodot., V, 88; Athen., IV, 13; XI, 60.)

The Athenians imposed a duty of two per cent. both on imports and exports. Similarly, in Rome, where the higher duties imposed on many articles of luxury served an ethico-political purpose. We have, besides, accounts of prohibitions of the exportation of money: Cicero, pro Flacco, 28 (L., 2, Cod. Just., IV, 63). Plato's advice to prohibit the importation of luxuries and the exportation of the means of subsistence (De Legg.) on ethico-political considerations; and the Byzantine prohibition of the exportation of certain articles of display from court vanity. (Porph. Decaerim, p. 271 ff. Reiske.)