The Cambridge Companion to the Roman EconomyWalter Scheidel This book offers readers a comprehensive and innovative introduction to the economy of the Roman Empire. Focusing on the principal determinants, features and consequences of Roman economic development and integrating additional web-based materials, it is designed as an up-to-date survey that is accessible to all audiences. Five main sections discuss theoretical approaches drawn from economics, labor regimes, the production of power and goods, various means of distribution from markets to predation, and the success and ultimate failure of the Roman economy. The book not only covers traditionally prominent features such as slavery, food production and monetization but also highlights the importance of previously neglected aspects such as the role of human capital, energy generation, rent-taking, logistics and human wellbeing, and convenes a group of five experts to debate the nature of Roman trade. |
Contents
| 3 | |
THEORY | 25 |
PARTIILAEOR | 89 |
PRODUCTION | 133 |
Manufacturing | 175 |
IO Predation | 197 |
I2 Urbanisrn | 241 |
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activities Africa agricultural amphorae ancient economy Andreau Antonine Plague archaeological Cambridge century BCE ceramic Chapter Cicero cities coinage commercial comparative contracts demand denarius distribution dominant early modern eastern economic growth economic history elite Erdkamp estates evidence exchange exports farm Finley first Garnsey Gaul grain Greek Hellenistic Hopkins Horden and Purcell households human capital imperial important income increased industries institutions integration interregional investment Italian Italy land landowners late antique levels manufacturers manumission Mediterranean monetary networks ofRoman ofthe olive oil Plin Pliny Pliny the Younger political population pre—industrial production provinces Rathbone reflect regions role Roman economy Roman Egypt Roman Empire Roman slavery Roman world Rome rural Saller scale Scheidel second century sectors sesterces significant slave labor slavery social society sources Strabo supply taxes Temin tenants third century tion towns trade transaction costs transport urban villas wages wealth wheat wine workers