2. Too many people have immigrated here in Ancient Athens. Our farmers cannot make enough food to fill the needs of our ever-growing population. What shall we do? I do not know. Why don’t we call upon the senate since our government, after all, is a democracy, and we should listen to our people? Yes. We should.

3. You called us? We need help deciding what to do about this atrocious famine. Any suggestions? I have thought of some possible solutions. We should go over the pros and cons of each one. Let’s hear them then! Well, we could conquer more land for farming! Never! Do you realize how many enemies we would develop that way!? And besides, this city- state does not believe in warfare. Sorry to have angered you, sir. Just go on. Very well then. Another way to solve this problem is to lead water from the river through a series of canals and dikes so our farms will get more water and grow more food. I hear in Egypt they call it irrigation. That would work… If there was a river nearby! OK. Then our only solution is to trade with other regions. That would work very well. We would get lots of different food and make allies since our army isn’t very good. Hmmm… I suppose that would work Then lets get started!

5. Hooray! Athens is the best! With all our allies we will never be defeated! And will never go hungry. Trading for more food was the best decision we ever made.

7. A terrible famine is happening in Egypt. What shall we do? Slave, call the scribe. Yes ma’am.

8. We have just enough water for one field. Please do not take too long, or many lives will be lost. How bad is this famine? Hmm. I will have to consider the choices.

10. Slave, fetch the scribe again, I have found a way to solve our problem. Yes ma’am.

11. If we dig ditches and canals, we can make the river water go to the fields. Then if we use dikes, the water will stop where we want it to. Wonderful idea! I shall tell the farmers of this and let them start digging immediately.

13. This system of irrigation is working fine. Now we don’t have to worry as much about floods, and don’t have to worry about famine anymore!

15. Your way of getting crops, irrigation would never work here in Athens. We are not near a river and the land is dry, so why bother growing things when we can just trade which is much easier and efficient. It is also more consistent. I think the Egyptian way is better. We are not relying on trade to get food. We have a system for ourselves. Our trading is for other things. Independence is not a succesful way of life. Trading with other regions has given us many allies and we are very well united. The other nations would not stop tradeing with us, because then they wouldn't get the things they needed that only we had. Well, let's just say they got conquered and the ruler didn't need to have those things. What would you do then? We would find other nations to trade with. There aren't always nations that are willing to trade with you. But, the point is, that we can both get our food, just in different ways. Both ways are effective and fit the place that we live in. That's what counts. We trade too! Our food sources are not from our trading however. We may import spices, but they are foreign ones that we cannot cultivate here. Our main food source comes from our successful farming. We have learned to use our environment the way we need to. Trading is fine, but what would happen if one of the places you trade with suddenly stops trading with you? The loss of food would affect lots of people wouldn't it?