Book 2
6
The city of Antissa had been accustomed to celebrate the festival of Dionysus with great magnificence. Year by yearOrAll through the year. great provision was made for the occasion, and costly sacrifices were prepared. Now one year the city found itself in need of funds; and shortly before the festival, on the proposal of a citizen named Sosipolis, the people after vowing that they would next year offer to Dionysus a double amount, collected all that had been provided and sold it. In this way they realized a large sum of money to meet their necessity.
7
On one occasion the people of Lampsacus were expecting to be attacked by a large fleet of triremes.War-ships, each propelled by some 174 rowers ranked in three tiers. The price of barley meal being then four drachmae for a bushel and a half, they instructed the retailers to sell it at six drachmae. Oil, which was at three drachmae for six pints, was to be sold at four drachmae and a half, and wine and other commodities at a proportionate increase. In this way the retailer got the original price, while the State took the addition and filled its treasury.