Harbor connections: An investigation of the spatial logic of the Late Roman Republic nautical exchange system
Abstract
Anthropologists aim to understand the human motives behind economic activities. During the Roman Republic, the economy was mainly based on acquiring slaves, collecting taxes, agricultural activities, and trade. I investigated the trade aspect of the economy by examining Roman system of nautical exchange in the Mediterranean Sea. Using network analysis with data from a sample of Roman Mediterranean harbors, the aim was to understand and explain the spatial logic of the Roman exchange system and how it structured the Roman economy during the Late Roman Republic period. Two models were produced for the research, a Feeder Model or dendritic market system model and a Network Model illustrating features of central-place theory. These two models were then compared in order to gauge the degree to which the growth of Rome had a structuring impact on trade networks and the differential growth of histories of Mediterranean ports.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Lindsay, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Archaeology|Economic theory|Ancient history
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.