REPUBLIC(BOOKII) 71
Ostrakafrom 428B.C., found on the north side of the Acropolis. These clay disks were used in ostracism
voting. Each eligible male Athenian citizen scratched the name of the man he thought most undesirable.
The “candidate” with the most votes was obliged to leave Athens for ten years. Given that “each of us is
not self-sufficient” (Republic369b) and all are dependent on the community, this was a severe punishment.
(Leemage/Universal Images Group Universal Images Group/Newscom)
“Comethen,”Isaid,“andlet’smakeacityfromthebeginninginourspeech.And
itseemslikewhatwillmakeitwillbeourneed.”
“Whatelsecoulditbe?”
“Butsurelythefirstandgreatestofneedsistheprovisionoffoodforthesakeof
beingandliving.”
“Absolutely.”
“Andsecondistheneedforadwellingplace,andthirdforclothesandsuchthings.”
“That’sso.”
“Wellthen,”Isaid,“howbigacitywillbesufficienttoprovidethismuch?Isit
anythingelsethanonepersonasafarmer,anotherahousebuilder,andsomeothera
weaver?Orshallweaddtoitaleatherworkerorsomeonewhoattendstosomething
elseforthebody?”
“Certainly.”
“Andthecitythat’smostnecessaryanywaywouldconsistoffourorfivemen.”
“Soitappears.”
“Andthenwhat?Shouldeachoneoftheseputinhisownworkforthemallin
common,withthefarmer,say,whoisone,providingfoodforfourandspendingfour
timesthetimeandeffortintheprovisionoffoodfortheotherstootoshare,orpaying
noattentiontothat,makeafourthpartofthisfoodforhimselfaloneinafourthpartof
thetimeanddevoteoneoftheotherthreetoprovidingforahouse,anothertoacloak,
de370a