Definition: Metic is the Greek-based term for a resident alien. It refers particularly to the substantial poportion of the population of Athens who lived there to pursue commerce, but had not been born there. Following Pericles' citizenship law, the children of a metic mother (not born to an Athenian citizen father) could not have Athenian citizenship, regardless of where their father was from. That means that their children, too, would be metics. Although a metic shared the obligations of the citizens, he was denied most of the benefits. Metics paid a tax in order to follow a trade in Attica.
Metic comes from Greek word metoikos, which contains the words meta + oikos. Oikos refers to the household.
Also Known As: metoici
