Investire in un balaneion nell’Atene del periodo classico. Kleighenes, gli pseudolitra e la kimolia ghe

Abstract

From the last two decades of the fifth century BC investments in building balaneia represented for many Athenians
a significant source of income, not only from entrance fees, but also from the production of bathing supplies. In his
“Frogs” (706-717) Aristophanes attacked a man named Kleighenes, a really unpleasant person («Kleighenes the monkey
»), the wickedest balaneus of all those who provided bathers mixtures of ash and nitre. Nevertheless, available
information identifies Kleighenes as one of the protagonists of Athenian politics during the period, who, despite being
of foreign origin, reached one of the highest institutional levels. Like other demagogues this “Annoying Monkey”
was a foreigner, who became so influential to acquire prestigious positions (Schol. in Ar.R.709-714). The terms used
to characterize Kleighenes were meant to present him as a person unsuitable for the position achieved. As for Kleon,
portrayed as a vulgar byrsopoles (tanner), as he owned tanneries, from which he obtained considerable revenues, the
identification of Kleighenes as a balaneus may be meant to explain the origin of his wealth. The reference to Kleighenes
as the smartest among all the lords of kykesitephron pseudolitron (soap) and the Kimolian Earth (Ar.R.711-712), should
be most likely understood as an indication of the direct involvement of this demagogue both in the mining process and
in commercialization of the resources from the earths of Kimolos. The bentonite of Kimolos, located at approximately
81.57 miles from Piraeus, has specific properties suitable not only for industrial use, but also for the production of
therapeutic products aimed at the treatment of dermatological pathologies. In the second half of the fifth century BC the
reference by Aristophanes to Kleighenes and the Kimolian Earth seems to indicate the awareness of the nature of the
rock formations at Kimolos, exploited also for the detergents supplies of Athens and its balaneia.