ABSTRACT
In ancient Greece social phenomena are more apparent in political than in economic form. This rule applies even to the division of labour. Thus Athens in the Vth and IVth centuries shows us a progressive specialization of public offices. The splitting up of powers increases the number of offices. “In great cities,” says Aristotle, “each magistracy has special duties. The great number of the citizens makes it possible to have many officials. It cannot be denied that posts are much better filled when the attention of the magistrates is thus limited. In small cities, on the other hand, many various duties must be concentrated in a few hands. In that case we may compare the public offices to certain instruments which serve several purposes.”
