Models Of The Roman Economy Essay, Research Paper
Finley
/ Jones Model – stressed view that agriculture dominant economic
activity in Roman empire Most
products consumed locally and not traded. Most
urban centres, except Rome and Alexandria, consumption centres financed by
taxes and rents ? transport poor so communications similarly poor. Lack
of mass market meant trade limited to luxuries ? local tradesmen who did
become wealthy bought land, landowners commerce was a side issue.?? Land bought status and status involved
displays of wealth by private consumption on public benefactions ? not
investment, Hopkins
add to this by suggesting that there was a period of growth in first two
centuries AD. agricultural
production rose, more land cultivated ? pollen analysis and settlement
study profound Population
greater than 10000 years earlier and 500 years later ? documentary
evidence and archaeological evidence of settlement and mortality
important. Greater
proportion people involved in non-agricultural production and services ?
excavation rural and urban workshops of great importance. High
division of labour promoted high points in production and distribution of
luxuries and mundane goods ? archaeological details from finds from
occupation sites and centres of manufacture, pottery etc
per capita rose ? agriculture and other spheres.? Why??
Taxation, slavery, business, peace, technological development ?
application archaeological data limited use. Intensity
if exploitation rose because of money diverted in rent an taxes ?
historical sources useful here. Core-provinces
levying of money taxes spent on frontiers increased long distance trade,
means of transport, production of goods for sale, use and volume of
coinage and importance of towns. Archaeology can assist in results tax ?
documents to establish level of taxation/. Transport
in the Roman Economy Study
of Roman Transport ? speed, cost, availability as essential to
economy.? Important for
long-distance transport, but also for local trade and transport as
well.? No direct evidence ? use
location and source of a traded good. Literary
and Artistic Evidence ? inscriptions on graves, Diocletian gave prices
and Roman art. Archaeological
Evidence ? various kinds of artefacts discovered ? geographical
distributions can be studied to in order tom deduce trade routes. Looking
at wrecks ? not only for their distribution and thus at routes, but at
the cargo ? what was traded? Technology
of ships of major interest ? amount of capital invested and very existence
of great importance.