Before revision: History of economic thought From antiquity through the physiocrats Questions regarding distribution of resources are found throughout the writings of the Boeotian poet Hesiod and several economic historians have described Hesiod himself as the "first economist".
After revision: A 1638 painting of a French seaport during the heyday of mercantilism|alt=A seaport with a ship arrivingHistory of economic thought From antiquity through the physiocrats Questions regarding distribution of resources are found throughout the writings of the Boeotian poet Hesiod and several economic historians have described Hesiod himself as the "first economist".