ABSTRACT
Regional studies dominate the ancient history of the Mediterranean; the challenge involved in understanding the economic relations of different areas of the world in the Hellenistic period is therefore immense. The problems are increased by the often areaspecific nature of an individual’s expertise. The experts on Arabia and those on Attica will not necessarily be familiar with each others’ material. And the work required of one individual to grapple with the material evidence is overwhelming. Rostovtzeff, of course, did just that. However, the very organization of SEHHW into specialized geographical areas neglected both the internal economic structures within regions and erased many interconnections between related themes. This chapter attempts to avoid these omissions. It considers the intra-regional nature of the Athenian economy by looking at Rhamnous; the main area of the economy to be analysed will be the food supply which entails the production and distribution of grain.
