Database: How to make the rich pay

Cities' income came from various sources, including leases of land and mines, grazing and fishing rights, port and merchandise taxes, fines, and confiscation of property and war tribute. Wealthy citizens and foreigners also participated in increasing the resources of the city, by paying for equipment for warships, financing the organization of festivals or even that underwriting public competitions. In particular, the organization and financing of the choregia brought unparalleled prestige to the choregos. The choregos paid the expenses of musical and theatrical performances, and gained considerable prestige by winning these competitions. Some of them commemorated their victory by erecting a monument in the city.