Development of an accounting system in ancient Athens in response to socieo-economic changes

The development of accounting principles and the evolution of accounting systems are highly dependent on the socio-economic environment. Although the socio-economic environment of the Golden Age of Greece (5th to 4th Century B.C.), known as the classical period, has received the attention of many scholars, very little has been written about early Greek accounting. The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate that the socio-economic activity which took place in the environment of the Golden Age of Greece (largely centered around Athens) created needs that required the development of an improved accounting system and other financial controls.