Zeugitai

Wealth also decided what role a man could take: the property class called the zeugitai could generally afford hoplite equipment, while many of the poorest citizens, the thetes, served as rowers. On campaigns abroad, however, soldiers were paid wages in silver by the state. During the siege of Potidaea (432–430/429 BC), each hoplite received two drachmas a day: one drachma for himself and one for his servant.