EubulusEuboulos

(405?-330? BCE) An Athenian statesman and activist; he rose from a minor financial official to a position where he assumed control of all of the city’s finances.

Athens was in a state of economic crisis after a decade of failed military excursions into the upper Aegean, in particular: the city of Amphipolis and the Khersonese (Chersonese); circa 355 BCE, Eubulus came to prominence; his skilled economic policies propelled Athens to levels of prosperity which the city had not enjoyed for over 150 years.

The public disgust with recent military expenditures allowed Eubulus to institute an innovative policy where the city’s revenue would only be directed towards military missions if the security of Athens was threatened; Eubulus encouraged a policy which would create a Common Peace with like minded Greek cities and reduce the need for military expeditions in order to protect Athens’ colonial properties.

The most aggressive Greek nation of the time was led by Philip of Makedon (Macedon) and Eubulus unwillingly accepted the treaties negotiated with Philip by another Athenian, Demosthenes, in 346 BCE; Philip ignored the treaties and as he began to expand his dominion, the cry for war was soon heard again in Athens; by 342 BCE, Eubulus lost all political clout and the war-party was in full control of the city and the city’s money; resistance to Philip proved futile; Eubulus disappeared from public life and by circa 330 BCE he was dead.