David J. Mattingly
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691160177
- eISBN:
- 9781400848270
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691160177.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, Ancient History / Archaeology
In recent years, a strong case has been made for identifying intensive economic growth in the provinces of Africa Proconsularis and Numidia—notably, between the second and fourth centuries AD. This ...
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In recent years, a strong case has been made for identifying intensive economic growth in the provinces of Africa Proconsularis and Numidia—notably, between the second and fourth centuries AD. This thesis is supported by comparative studies of other preindustrial societies, since Roman Africa reveals virtually all the classic elements associated with this phenomenon. These include growth in agricultural production and rural population, an increase in exports of primary products, raised levels of import substitution, larger-scale units of production (farms to oileries, workshop to manufactory pottery production), the emergence of a society that was patently involved in risk taking, economic calculation, technological innovation, and other “rational” economic behavior. In this respect, Africa stands out from many other provinces of the Roman Empire, where growth of this sort did not occur. This chapter considers the factors that may account for this difference and suggests a few pointers for further work in this developing field of research.Less
In recent years, a strong case has been made for identifying intensive economic growth in the provinces of Africa Proconsularis and Numidia—notably, between the second and fourth centuries AD. This thesis is supported by comparative studies of other preindustrial societies, since Roman Africa reveals virtually all the classic elements associated with this phenomenon. These include growth in agricultural production and rural population, an increase in exports of primary products, raised levels of import substitution, larger-scale units of production (farms to oileries, workshop to manufactory pottery production), the emergence of a society that was patently involved in risk taking, economic calculation, technological innovation, and other “rational” economic behavior. In this respect, Africa stands out from many other provinces of the Roman Empire, where growth of this sort did not occur. This chapter considers the factors that may account for this difference and suggests a few pointers for further work in this developing field of research.
Matthew S. Hobson
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- September 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198728924
- eISBN:
- 9780191795831
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198728924.003.0012
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Archaeology: Classical, World History: BCE to 500CE
This chapter examines the literary, archaeological, and epigraphic evidence for economic and social change in North Africa during the Roman period. The evidence for the increased exportation of ...
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This chapter examines the literary, archaeological, and epigraphic evidence for economic and social change in North Africa during the Roman period. The evidence for the increased exportation of African ceramics to sites around the Mediterranean from the late second century AD onwards is discussed in relation to transformations observable in the rural countryside. Traditional explanations for the African economic boom are brought up to date, with recent survey work reinforcing the picture of the development of large-scale farms producing olive oil and wine, but also highlighting the importance of other North African exports, such as textiles and marine products. Explanation for the later economic prosperity is sought in the system of exploitation which developed after the destruction of Carthage, indicated by the mass centuriation schemes known from aerial photographs, the post-Gracchan epigraphic Lex agraria of 111 BC, and the tenurial relationships attested on the inscriptions of the Bagradas Valley.Less
This chapter examines the literary, archaeological, and epigraphic evidence for economic and social change in North Africa during the Roman period. The evidence for the increased exportation of African ceramics to sites around the Mediterranean from the late second century AD onwards is discussed in relation to transformations observable in the rural countryside. Traditional explanations for the African economic boom are brought up to date, with recent survey work reinforcing the picture of the development of large-scale farms producing olive oil and wine, but also highlighting the importance of other North African exports, such as textiles and marine products. Explanation for the later economic prosperity is sought in the system of exploitation which developed after the destruction of Carthage, indicated by the mass centuriation schemes known from aerial photographs, the post-Gracchan epigraphic Lex agraria of 111 BC, and the tenurial relationships attested on the inscriptions of the Bagradas Valley.
