Misthophoria (, which literally means ''paid function''), was the institutionalized remuneration of
ancient Athenian citizens, who temporarily left their jobs to participate in public services.
It was first established in the 5th century BC by
Pericles
Pericles (; grc-gre, Περικλῆς; c. 495 – 429 BC) was a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Pelo ...
(c. 495–429 BC) for citizens who held the positions of jurors. Such award was meant by him to counterbalance the ties of patronage created by the magnificence with which Pericles' rival,
Cimon, performed his
liturgical
Liturgy is the customary public ritual of worship performed by a religious group. ''Liturgy'' can also be used to refer specifically to public worship by Christians. As a religious phenomenon, liturgy represents a communal response to and partic ...
responsibilities. This payment, to some extent anonymous, allowed the average Athenian citizen to perform public functions without becoming dependent on, or obligated to, the wealthiest.
[Christophe Pébarthe, Monnaie et marché à l'époque classique, Belin, 2008, p. 209.]
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Athenian democracy
Social programs