the athenian system, as per the UVM article, doesn't align with modern capitalism. It had democratic features like paid public service roles, but was primarily an oligarchy, not a free market. economic participation was broadened, but the structure remained class-based, with power concentrated among the elite.

It's economy wasn't modern free market system focused on capital accumulation and investment for profit. It was a mixed economy with significant state involvement and a variety of revenue sources that went beyond simple market transactions.

State actors paying their civil servants isn't evidence of capitalism, or wage labor.

( David Graeber does write about ancient Greek city-states and how their coinage came to be, according to the historical and archeological record, in "Debt: The First 5000 Years," by the way. )

Capitalism, is a relatively modern phenomenon, with a pretty common, well understood definition. This isn't a heretical or radical idea. You may find some societies prior to the 16th/17th century that fulfills some characteristics of capitalism, but they don't make the cut.

People naturally want to trade. Markets existed before capitalism and they will exist after capitalism.