FORGING LINKS BETwEEN REGIONS 69
part of the Sidonian ‘political class’ from the financial obligations normally
imposed on foreigners of metic or isoteles status. Although honoring Straton for
his political services, the combination of an incipient political association with
a trade agreement demonstrates that the Athenians recognized the importance
of their economic relationship with Sidon and the need to honor its merchants
as well as its king. As the Sidonians were not known for exporting large quan-
tities of grain (see van Alfen, Chapter 12 in this volume), this decree should not
be seen as part of a wider strategy aimed simply at procuring Finley’s ‘neces-
sary’ commodities. Similarly, the honoring of Apollonides, son of Demetrios of
Sidon, is likely to have been for general commercial services rather than for the
specific import of grain as the exact reason for his honoring is left unstated.^11
It is also doubtful that Lycon of Achaea received his honors for bringing grain
to Athens (IG I^3 174). Although the extant portions of the decree do not rec-
ord the nature or type of service being rewarded, his ownership of a vessel
and the provision permitting him to sail and trade from Achaea to all places
controlled by the Athenians and their garrisons (except the Gulf of Corinth)
strongly indicate that he was a professional trader.^12 Because the decree spe-
cifically records that Lycon operates from Achaea rather than one of the key
grain-producing regions such as the Chersonnese, coupled with the fact that
there is no expectation that he will transport goods directly to Athens, it is
reasonable to conclude that the services being recognized were not related
to the grain trade. Another interesting case that suggests merchants could be
honored for importing commodities other than grain or timber is that of
Chaerephilus and his sons who were bestowed grants of citizenship ca. 337–330
BCE.^13 Athenaeus (3.119f–120a), quoting the comic poet Alexis, records that
Chaerephilus was granted Athenian citizenship for importing large quantities
of salted fish. Despite Alexis’ explicit statement and the abundant evidence
for the import of salted fish (see Carusi, Chapter 15 in this volume), schol-
ars have been reluctant to accept his testimony.^14 However, if it is accepted
that Athenian trade policy was also intended to encourage market exchange
more generally, there is no reason to doubt Alexis’ explanation for the grant
of citizenship. A contemporary honorific inscription dating to ca. 337 (IG II^2
283) also shows that the import of fish was considered important enough to be
highlighted as a service to the state. Although the recipient is primarily hon-
ored for selling grain cheaply during a time of shortage, he is also commended
for importing fish at a reduced price.^15 Further evidence that Athenian trade
policy was not limited to securing grain and timber is contained in IG II^2
1128 – a decree recording Athens’ decision to send envoys to Ceos in order to
persuade the Cean cities to regulate more carefully the trade in ruddle.^16 In
essence, the inscription records a political agreement whereby Athens gained a
monopoly over the trade in Cean ruddle. Although ruddle was used to impart
red color to a variety of objects – such as pottery, the stones used in public