Cittadini di quale classe? Appartenenza censitaria e stigma sociale nell’Atene classica

ABSTRACT Citizens of which class? Census membership and social stigma in classical Athens This article discusses the meaning and implications of the census classes in classical Athens, with a particular focus on the fourth class – the thetes. It argues that Athenian citizens were less inclined to highlight their professional identities on private inscriptions, such as gravestones and dedications, than non-citizen residents of Athens. This may reflect the social stigma attached to the figure of the thete – the paid labourer – dating back to the archaic period.