Economics

Books

• 1
  Book 1

  Socrates discusses household management with Critobulus. What makes a good estate manager? Not wealth but the ability to use what you have.

  23 lines
• 2
  Book 2

  The definition of wealth. A man with great possessions who cannot manage them is poorer than a man with little who can.

  18 lines
• 3
  Book 3

  Socrates describes his own modest lifestyle. He introduces Ischomachus, a 'gentleman farmer', as the model estate manager.

  16 lines
• 4
  Book 4

  Ischomachus' daily routine: exercise, riding, farming, civic duties. The rhythm of a well-ordered Athenian life.

  25 lines
• 5
  Book 5

  Ischomachus describes training his young wife. She knew nothing when she arrived — he taught her to manage the household as a partnership.

  20 lines
• 6
  Book 6

  The wife's domain: organising the household stores, managing slaves, keeping accounts. The house as a well-run enterprise.

  17 lines
• 7
  Book 7

  Teaching the wife to organise. Everything in its place — utensils, clothing, provisions. Order in the house mirrors order in the soul.

  43 lines
• 8
  Book 8

  The qualities of a good housekeeper. The wife as overseer, not just manager. She must be able to reward and punish fairly.

  23 lines
• 9
  Book 9

  Ischomachus on the care of servants. A good master teaches, a bad one merely commands. Servants work better when treated with justice.

  19 lines
• 10
  Book 10

  The selection and training of a farm bailiff. The overseer must be honest, hardworking, and capable of commanding others.

  13 lines
• 11
  Book 11

  Practical farming: soil preparation, ploughing, and the agricultural calendar. Xenophon draws on real experience.

  25 lines
• 12
  Book 12

  More on soil quality and tillage. When to plough, how deep, and why fallow land is essential.

  20 lines
• 13
  Book 13

  Sowing. The right time, the right depth, the right method. Nature rewards those who attend to her properly.

  12 lines
• 14
  Book 14

  Harvesting grain. How to cut, thresh, and winnow. The importance of timing.

  10 lines
• 15
  Book 15

  Tree planting and viticulture. Vine management, pruning, and the care of olive groves.

  13 lines
• 16
  Book 16

  More on tree cultivation. The spacing of plants, the management of orchards, and the art of grafting.

  15 lines
• 17
  Book 17

  Leadership on the farm. Managing workers is like commanding soldiers — the same principles of incentive, example, and discipline apply.

  15 lines
• 18
  Book 18

  The parallel between farming and warfare. Both require observation, planning, and the ability to seize the right moment.

  10 lines
• 19
  Book 19

  The importance of personal oversight. The master's eye makes the farm productive. Delegation without supervision is neglect.

  19 lines
• 20
  Book 20

  Socrates summarises the conversation. Farming is the foundation of civilisation — it produces the food, the soldiers, and the citizens that sustain the city.

  29 lines
• 21
  Book 21

  The closing exchange. Ischomachus' advice reduces to one principle: whatever you do, do it with knowledge and attention. Socrates agrees.

  12 lines