Description
Book SynopsisIt has long been held that conditions in the Roman economy resembled those found in early modern Europe. In this intriguing study, Peter Bang interrogates this claim and argues that Roman trade and markets could more accurately be compared to those of the Mughal Empire in India.
Trade Review"Bang's well-researched and clearly written (and much-warranted) investigation will prove valuable to anyone interested in the comparative history of premodern empires and economies. Bang is surely right to claim the need for more studies of comparable ancient structures rather than more comparisons between ancient and modern ones. His is a first big step in the right direction." The Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Brent D. Shaw, Princeton University
"This is an extremely rich and stimulating book..." --American Historical Review
Table of ContentsProlegomena; Part I. The Roman Empire and the Comparative Study of Pre-Industrial Society: 1. Beyond the ancient economy? Trade in the Roman empire and the problem of comparative history; 2. An agrarian empire between market and tribute - situating interregional trade in the Roman empire; Part II. Imperial Bazaar: 3. A rough trading world - opaque, volatile and discontinuously connected markets; 4. A thin line - portorium, protection and predation; 5. Community - cult, courts, credit and collaboration in the bazaar; Epilegomena: taking stock - the world of goods.
