The Cambridge companion to the Roman economy
By: edited by Walter Scheidel
Series: Cambridge companions to the ancient world
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Cambridge
Language: eng
Number of pages: 443
ISBN-13: 9780521898225; 9780521726887
Subjects: Economic conditions; HISTORY / Ancient / General
Description: "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"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note: Part I. Introduction: 1. Approaching the Roman economy / Walter Scheidel; Part II. THEORY: 2. Roman economic thought / Gloria Vivenza; 3. The contribution of economics / Peter Temin; 4. Human capital and economic growth / Richard Saller; Part III. LABOR: 5. Slavery / Walter Scheidel; 6. Contract labor / Dennis Kehoe; Part IV. PRODUCTION: 7. Raw materials and energy / Andrew Wilson; 8. Food production / Geoffrey Kron; 9. Manufacturing / Cameron Hawkins; Part V. DISTRIBUTION: 10. Predation / Peter Fibiger Bang; 11. Transport / Colin Adams; 12. Urbanism / Paul Erdkamp; 13. Money and finance / Sitta von Reden; 14. A forum on trade / Andrew Wilson, Morris Silver, Peter Fibiger Bang, Paul Erdkamp and Neville Morley; Part VI. OUTCOMES: 15. Physical wellbeing / Walter Scheidel; 16. Post-imperial economies / Simon Loseby.