This book investigates the economic organization of ancient societies from a comparative perspective. By pursuing an interdisciplinary approach, including contributions by archaeologists, historians of antiquity, economic historians as well as historians of economic thought, it studies various aspects of ancient economies, such as the material living conditions including production technologies, etc.; economic institutions such as markets and coinage; as well as the economic thinking of the time. In the process, it also explores the comparability of economic thought, economic institutions and economic systems in ancient history. Focusing on the Ancient Near East as well as the Mediterranean, including Greece and Rome, this comparative perspective makes it possible to identify historical permanencies, but also diverse forms of social and political organization and cultural systems. These institutions are then evaluated in terms of their capacity to solve economic problems, such as the efficient use of resources or political stability.
The first part of the book introduces readers to the methodological context of the comparative approach, including an evaluation of the related historiographical tradition. Subsequent parts discuss a range of development models, elements of economic thinking in ancient societies, the role of trade and globalization, and the use of monetary and financial instruments, as well as political aspects.
Author(s): Marcella Frangipane, Monika Poettinger, Bertram Schefold
Series: Frontiers in Economic History
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 365
City: Cham
Contents
Introduction
Methodology for the Economic History and the History of Economic Thought of Antiquity
Ancient Economies: The Challenge of Mapping Complexity
The Present-Day Challenge
Area of Decision I: Boundaries in Time and Space
Area of Decision II: Our Relationship with the Social Sciences
Area of Decision III: Format of Analysis
References
The Significance of Economic Knowledge for Welfare and Economic Growth in History
The Paradox of Economic Knowledge
Five Reasons Why Economic History Neglects Economic Knowledge and How It May Nonetheless Be Used for Explanation
Rules of Action
Technical Knowledge and Abilities
Theory of Economic Growth
Implicit Knowledge
The Role of the History of Economic Thought
The Social Market Economy: Economic Order and Development Based on Consensus
Historical Illustrations of the Meaning of Economic Knowledge
The European Monetary Union
Monetary History, Monetary Policy and Monetary Thought in the Nineteenth Century
Economic Controversies in the Period of the Reformation
The Usury Debate
The Economic Spirit in the Early Modern Period
Antiquity: An Epilogue
References
For a Comparative History of Economic Thought
Introduction
Definitions and Conceptual Tools for a History of Comparative Economic Thought
Functions
Examples of a Comparative Approach
Conclusions
References
Economics as a Comparative Science from the Historical School to Otto Neurath
Introduction
Looking Back at Antiquity in Nineteenth-Century Germany
A Study in Comparability: Otto Neurath
Lessons from History: Economics as a Comparative Science
Conclusions
References
Development Models
Archaeological Evidence of the Political Economy in Pre-State and Early State Societies in the Near East. Mesopotamia and Anatolia, Some Remarks and Comparisons
A Few Preliminary Thoughts
Economic and Political Centralisation in 4th Millennium BCE Mesopotamian World
Economic and Political Strategies in the Early Centralised Societies of Mesopotamia
Evidences of ‘Political Economy’ Strategies in an Emerging Early State System at the Periphery of the Mesopotamian World. The Case of Arslantepe
A Comparison with the Economic Strategies of the Emerging Leaders in 3rd Millennium Anatolia
Some Concluding Remarks
References
Clash of the Titans: The Economics of Early Bronze Age Mesopotamia Between Empirical Evidence and Theoretical Models
Introduction
Big Models and Small Data? Unified Theories vs. Complexity
Mesopotamian Political Economy (and History): State-of-the-Art
We Shall Overcome
The Economy? A Matter of Structure, Performance and Agency?
New Tricks for Old Dogs: Rebooting Political Economy for ANE Historical Disciplines
Conclusions: Future Directions for a New Economic and Political History of the ANE
References
Modelling Modes of Production: European 3rd and 2nd Millennium BC Economies
Introduction
Modes of Production
Kin-Ordered Modes of Production
Tributary Modes of Production (TMP)
Third Millennium BC: Age of Migrations
The Pastoral Mode of Production and the Replacement of Neolithic Farmers
Dynamics of the Growing Pastoral Mode of Production
Water-Based Technology, Continued Expansion, Colonization, and New Trading Networks
The Transformative Potential of the 3rd Millennium MP
Second Millennium BC: Age of International Trade
From Kin-Ordered to Tributary Modes of Production: Transforming and Linking Local Economies with Expanding Trading Systems
The Growth of Trans-Regional Metal Trade in the 2nd Millennium BC
Competing Tributary Modes of Production and the Bronze Age World System
Concluding Discussion
Formation and Dissolution of Modes of Production: Expansion and Constraints
The Role of Cultural, Linguistic, and Ethnic Identities
Ideology and Modes of Production
The Dialectic of Transformations and Traditions
References
Political/Ideological Display or Economic Need? The Problematical Picture of the Hydraulic Networks in Seventh Century BC Assyria
References
The ‘Many Faces’ of the Roman Economy: Modern Preconceptions and Some Considerations on Capital, Technology, and Labour
Introduction
Theoretical Frameworks and Historical Reconstructions: The Case of the ‘Villa Schiavistica’
Technological Innovation and Investment
Capital and Organization of Labour
The Role of Societates
Key Factors
Conclusions
References
Trade, Specialisation and Growth
Weight-Based Trade and the Formation of a Global Network: Material Correlates of Market Exchange in Pre-literate Bronze Age Europe (c. 2300–800 BC)
Introduction
Weighing Equipment in Pre-literate BA Europe: Chronology and Distribution
Weight Systems, Prices and Market Exchange
Premise
Barter or Currency?
Weight Systems and the Problem of Currency
A Pan-European Weight System
Theoretical Units
Meta Systems
Method
Expectations
The Sample
Analysis
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Specialisation, Exchanges and Socio-Economic Strategies of Italian Bronze Age Elites: The Case of Aegean-Type Pottery
Introduction
The Archaeological Framework
Local Pottery Technology
Aegean and Italo-Mycenaean Pottery
Technological Transfer
Italo-Mycenaean Pottery and Other Wares of Aegean Derivation
Technological Specialisation and Social Organisation
Continuous and Discontinuous Technological Innovations: Disappearance and Reappearance of Technological Innovations
Back to Italy
Conclusions
References
The Economic and Productive Processes in the Hellenistic ‘Globalization’: From the Archaeological Documentation to the Historical Reconstruction
Introduction
Hellenism
The Management of the Production Systems
The Mediterranean Network
References
New Institutional Economics and the Rhodian Economy: Some Preliminary Considerations
References
Debts, Slaves and Finance
The Edicts of Debt Remission: A Political Tool of Economic Intervention
Introduction
What the Edict of Debt Remission Is
How the Edicts Were Implemented
What Effects the Edict Could Cause
Conclusions
References
Some Observations on the Development of a Sacred Economy from the Archaic Age up to Hellenism
Introduction
The Establishment of Divine Funds: Seventh and Sixth Century B.C.
The Impact of Monetization Over the Sacred Economy: Sixth Century B.C.
Monitoring the Hoarded Assets, Tracking Incomes and Expenses: Fifth Century B.C.
The Transformations Occurred in the Great Sanctuaries During the Late Classical and Hellenistic Age: Fourth Century B.C.
Conclusions
References
Debt and Usury: Economic and Financial Questions in the Roman Republic (Fifth–First Century B.C.)
Ancient Sources and Modern Historiography
Debts and Debtors in the Early Republic
Usury in the Early Republic
Indebtedness and Usury between the Third and Second Century B.C.
The Last Century of the Republic
References
The Two-Way Relationship Between Freedman and Business in the Roman World
References
Slaves Sales in the Roman Empire and Perspectives of Comparison
Texts Discussed
References
