This Spartan’s servant was heard saying that his master had many owls roosting in his roof. Then the master was charged with embezzlement. Who was the master?
Economic historian and numismatic consultant
Love of History | Ancient History Competition 52
Dr. Constantina Katsari is a comparative historian that specialises on ancient and modern history. She looks at current events with a critical eye and brings forward direct comparisons with similar historical events.
Ancient History Competition 52
This Spartan’s servant was heard saying that his master had many owls roosting in his roof. Then the master was charged with embezzlement. Who was the master?
Gylippos. The owls were Athenian coins.
Correct!
Gylippos, formerly Spartan commander in Sicily, whom Lysander had sent home with money from the Athenians and other spoils (Plutarch, Lysander 16). Gylippos took a bit from each bag, opening and then sewing up the bottom so as to leave the seals intact, and not realizing there was a note in each bag giving the correct total. When the ephors had the bags counted, the missing moneys were discovered, and Gylippos was given away in the manner describes – the “owls” were, of course, those of Athenian coinage.
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