Lavreotiki Region | Lavrion-Sounion

The incredibly rich subsoil of the Lavreotiki area with its valuable silver and lead ores was systematically exploited in ancient times. The intensification of the mining and metal-processing activities during the Classical period played a crucial role in the growth and dominance of the Athenian city-state at the time. Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to use the silver from Lavrion so as to finance the construction of 200 triremes, thus transforming Athens into the formidable naval power that also defeated the Persians in the Battle of Salamis. In addition, the Athenian state managed to gain an almost absolute monetary monopoly by minting silver coins, the Athenian tetradrachms (the famous Owls), bearing an owl on one side and the head of goddess Athena on the other, which circulated widely by trade everywhere in the then known world.