ABSTRACT
The importance of a favourable economic context can be seen in two historical examples. Glassmaking flourished as a luxury-oriented craft in the Near East until about II 00 Be. At this time, a lengthy period of wars, invasions, disruptions in trade, and economic uncertainty stifled the craft until its revival around 900 BC. Much later, the relative political and economic stability afforded by the Roman Empire, the ready access to distant markets, and the presence of a strong consumer demand provided the context for the introduction of glass blowing. This innovation, coupled with the necessary market for glass objects, completely transformed the Roman glass industry and the extent to which glass was used and perceived as a form of material culture. By the end of the first century BC, the Roman writer Strabo could comment on the low price and ready availability of glass tablewares.
