Cittadini di quale classe? Appartenenza censitaria e stigma sociale nell’Atene classica

This article discusses the meaning and implications of the census classes in classi- cal Athens, with a particular focus on the fourth class – the thetes. It argues that Athenian citizens were less inclined to highlight their professional identities on private inscriptions, such as gravestones and dedications, than non-citizen residents of Athens. This may reflect the social stigma attached to the figure of the thete – the paid labourer – dating back to the archaic period.