Technological innovation and economic progress in the ancient world: M. I. Finley re‐considered

Greene, Kevin

doi:10.1111/1468-0289.00151

Cited by 199 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…A broad overview of the archeological evidence of technological innovation and the speed of technological transfer can be found in Greene (2000), especially for the late Republic and early Empire. Examples include the spread of grape-and olive-pressing equipment and water-powered grain-mills throughout the Mediterranean, bone dimensions of cattle that suggest selective breeding, and remains of pumps and water-wheels that allowed mining below the water table in the North-western provinces of Gaul and Spain.…”

Section: Economicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Law and Finance “at the Origin”

Malmendier

2009

Journal of Economic Literature

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What are the key determinants of financial development and growth? A large literature debates the relative importance of countries' legal and political environment. In this paper, I present evidence from ancient Rome, where an early form of shareholder company, the societas publicanorum, developed. I show that the societas publicanorum flourished in a legally underdeveloped but politically supportive environment (Roman Republic) and disappeared when Roman law reached its height of legal sophistication but the political environment grew less supportive (Roman Empire). In the Roman case, legal development appears to have mattered little as long as the law as practiced was flexible and adapted to economic needs. The “law as practiced,” in turn, reflected prevalent political interests. After discussing parallels in more recent history, I provide a brief overview of the literature on law and finance and on politics and finance. The historical evidence suggests that legal systems may be less of a technological constraint for growth than previously thought—at least “at the origin.” (JEL D72, K10, N23, N43)

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Section: Economicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Law and Finance “at the Origin”

Malmendier

2009

Journal of Economic Literature

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“…The Roman economy of the first and second centuries CE was integrated enough for areas around the transportation network in the Mediterranean Sea to exploit their comparative advantages. This specialization appears to have promoted operating efficiency in agriculture and in processing industries (Greene, 2000). Trade also allowed for concentration of other activities like amphora and oil-lamp production in one place.…”

Section: A Mediterranean Market For Goodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The purpose of many surviving structures, however, was not just for consumption. The Pont-du-Gard, to take only the most famous of examples, was not only a structure to bring water for the residents of Arles to bathe in, watch in fountains and drink, it also was part of an agricultural irrigation system tapped at several points for irrigation and even power for milling grain (Greene, 2000). Water-power was used on a wide scale and in diversified forms by the first century CE, and archeologists are discovering ever more evidence of the widespread use of new technologies in the early Roman Empire.…”

Section: From Markets To Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Economy of the Early Roman Empire

Temin

2006

Journal of Economic Perspectives

124

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Many inhabitants of ancient Rome lived well. Tourists marvel at the temples, baths, roads and aqueducts that they built. Economists also want to understand the existence of a flourishing and apparently prosperous economy two millennia ago. Market institutions and a stable government appear to have been the combination that produced this remarkable result. This essay provides an economist's view of the Roman economy that emphasizes the role of markets. I focus on the early Roman Empire, from 27 BCE to around 200 CE. I begin with some indications suggesting that the standard of living in ancient Rome was similar to that of early modern period of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe, an extraordinary achievement for any economy in the ancient world. I then argue that ancient Rome managed to achieve this high standard of living through the combined operation of moderately stable political conditions and markets for goods, labor and capital, which allowed specialization and efficiency. After surveying the labor and financial markets in turn, I return to the broad questions of how the Romans prospered and the economy appears to have grown.

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“…White (1984: 14-15) points out that technological advances are erroneously interpreted just on the basis of inventions (cf. Greene 1992Greene , 2000. Technological transfer and innovation are equally important.…”

Section: Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Globalisation, Consumerism and the Ancient Roman Economy: A Preliminary Look at Bronze and Iron Production and Consumption

Ratliff

2011

Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal

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Technological innovation and economic progress in the ancient world: M. I. Finley re‐considered

Cited by 199 publications

References 2 publications

Law and Finance “at the Origin”

Law and Finance “at the Origin”

The Economy of the Early Roman Empire

Globalisation, Consumerism and the Ancient Roman Economy: A Preliminary Look at Bronze and Iron Production and Consumption

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