Economy

During the Frankish rule the economic activity in the duchy of Athens thrived despite the raids of the pirates. Venetian and Genoese merchants had settled in Athens and Thebes, which gradually became important trade centres of that time. Guy I de la Roche instituted tax exemptions for the Genoese merchants and granted them the privilege to have their own consular and judiciary authorities.

Thebes was the economic centre of the duchy due to the considerable silk industry that had developed there. By the end of the 13th century, grain was being exported to Venice, a fact that was indicative of the prosperity of the duchy.

Guy de la Roche was the first duke that minted coinage around 1260 and was followed by Jean de la Roche. During the rule of Guy II, three series of coinage were minted for covering the commercial needs of the duchy.