Ancient Greek Accounting

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During the Egyptian civilization period, the use of papyrus rather than clay tablets allowed detailed records to be made easily. Also, extensive records were kept, particularly for the network of royal storehouses. This was where the in kind tax payments were kept. The ancient Egyptian bookkeepers associated with each storehouse and kept meticulous records, which were checked by an extensive internal verification system. These early accountants were honest and accurate. This was because irregularities disclosed by royal audits were met with by fines, mutilation or the death penalty. Although such records were important, ancient Egyptian accounting methods and systems never progressed beyond simple task of list-making in its thousands of years …show more content…

From the east, the Aegean coast of Asia Minor was colonized first, followed by Cyprus and the coasts of Thrace, the Sea of Marmara and south coast of the Black Sea. Eventually Greek colonization reached as far northeast as present day Ukraine and Russia (Taganrog). At its economic height, in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, the Greek economy was the most advanced economy in the world. According to economic historians, the Greek economy was one of the most advanced preindustrial economies in ancient times (Diamantis, 2008). This was demonstrated by the average daily wage of the Greek worker which was, in terms of wheat, about 12 kg. It was more than 3 times the average daily wage of an Egyptian worker during the ancient period, about 3.75 kg. In ancient Greece used public accountants to give citizens the ability to maintain real authority and control over their government's finances. Members of the Athens Popular Assembly legislated on financial matters and controlled receipt and expenditure of public money through the oversight of 10 state accountants, chosen by lots. Perhaps the most important Greek contribution to accountancy was its introduction of coins about 600 B.C. Widespread use of coins took time this affected its impact on the evolution of accounting. Banking in ancient Greece appears to have been far more advanced than in prior societies. Bankers kept account books, …show more content…

During this era, Arabs in the Arabian peninsula especially in Makkah pursued a tribal life which was characterized by periods of war between the various tribes. In the year 622 A.D in Al-Madienah Al-Munaw'warah the principle of brotherhood was introduced. The principle of brotherhood required that all Muslims act as brothers with no regard to country of origin, race, language, colour, ethnic group or any other divisive hurdles. Muslims shunned revenge and were of great support to each other financially and socially. They did this regardless of their historical differences. They understood Islam as a comprehensive code for spiritual and material life. The Quran also offered guiding principles on social relations and commerce. Examples of commercial teachings are the rules of contract, finance, business, zakat and ethical rules for conducting business and writing contracts (Nigam, 1986). From the year 700 to 1200 Islam led the world in power, organization, and extent of government; in social refinements and standards of living; in literature, science, medicine, and philosophy. Muslim science can attribute to itself the preservation and development of Greek mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and medicine during this half millennium, while the West was plunging into what historians call the Dark Ages. The expansion in trade promoted the

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