Merchants of Pherae. The role of maritime trade in relations between the Thessalian tyrants and Athens in the 4th century B.C.

According to Plutarch, the Athenians honoured Alexander of Pherae with a bronze statute. It is difficult to explain such a high award with the ephemeral political cooperation between Pherae and Athens. The Author aims to show that the honour could have resulted from the involvement of the family of the Pheraean tyrants in maritime trade with Athens. To substantiate this thesis, the Author collects arguments showing the existence of trade relations between Pagasae and Pireus and the Pheraeans’ involvement in maritime trade.