ABSTRACT

This book presents a challenge to the long held view that the predominantly agricultural economies of ancient Greece and Rome were underdeveloped. It shows that the exploitation of natural resources, manufacturing and the building trade all made significant contributions to classical economies. It will be an indispensable resource for those interested in the period.

part 1|13 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|12 pages

The Productive Past

Economies beyond agriculture

part 2|98 pages

Modelling the Ancient Economy

chapter 2|32 pages

Productive to Some Purpose?

The problem of ancient economic growth

chapter 4|24 pages

Leptiminus (Tunisia)

A ‘producer' city?

chapter 5|23 pages

The Fourth Factor

Managing non-agricultural production in the Roman world

part 3|79 pages

Extraction

chapter 6|28 pages

Making Money in Classical Athens

chapter 8|22 pages

Who Bore the Burden?

The organization of stone transport in Roman Egypt

part 4|75 pages

Construction

chapter 9|14 pages

Temples the Measures of Men

Public building in the Greek economy

chapter 10|21 pages

Rebuilding a Temple

The economic effects of piety

chapter 11|39 pages

Bricks and Mortar

Exploring the economics of building techniques at Rome and Ostia

part 5|39 pages

Textile Production

chapter 12|26 pages

Timgad and Textile Production

chapter 13|12 pages

The Gallo-Roman Woollen Industry and the Great Debate

The Igel column revisited