Description
Book SynopsisThe remarkable economic performance of the Roman Empire is now widely acknowledged. Yet there is still much debate about its interpretation. Although this debate is mainly conducted at the empire-wide level, regional syntheses are indispensable to its further advancement. This book contributes to that purpose by providing a comprehensive account of the Roman impact on the economy of the Lower Germanic Limes region. By drawing on a large number of scattered publications and (archaeological) datasets, the work demonstrates that Roman rule also led to important economic developments in a part of the empire that was remote from its Mediterranean heartland.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements List of Figures and Tables 1 Introduction 1.1 The Debate about Roman Economic Growth 1.2 This Book’s Contribution 2 Setting the Stage 2.1 The Natural Landscape 2.2 The Pre-Roman Economy 2.3 Conclusions 3 The Roman Impact 3.1 The Roman Army 3.2 Urbanisation 3.3 Population Growth 3.4 Roman Institutions 3.5 Infrastructure 3.6 Conclusions 4 Agricultural Production 4.1 Long-Term Developments 4.2 The Villa Landscape 4.3 The Non-villa Landscapes 4.4 Conclusions 5 Non-agricultural Production 5.1 Extractive Industries 5.2 Manufacturing 6 Trade 6.1 Amphorae 6.2 Terra sigillata 6.3 Trade with Other Regions 6.4 The Traders 6.5 Conclusions 7 Living Standards 7.1 Housebuilding 7.2 Mobile Material Culture 7.3 Conclusions 8 Final Conclusions 8.1 Synthesis 8.2 Interpretation 8.3 Future Research Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3
