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 important Production

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.