Commerce and Social Standing in Ancient Rome

John H. D'Arms

Published by Harvard University Press 1981

Commerce and Social Standing in Ancient Rome

John H. D'Arms

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674331198

Overview
Contents

About this book

John D'Arms explores here a question of central importance for the social economic history of the Roman world: which sectors of society were actively engaged in trade?

In the late Roman Republic and early Empire senators were prohibited by law from direct participation in seaborne commerce; trade was not considered a respectable pursuit. Yet large fortunes were amassed by men of rank through a variety of lucrative enterprises. Exploiting the evidence of literature, archaeology, and inscription, D'Arms constructs case histories which reveal how senators realized commercial profits by indirect involvement: freedmen, municipal notables, and "friends" often served as the equivalent of partners or agents of aristocrats with large holdings in land. In demonstrating a flexibility in upper-class attitudes toward commercial activity, he offers a study in the adaptation of a social system to economic realities.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Figures Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xiv
Abbreviations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xvii
1. Traders in Roman Society: Two Approaches Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Attitudes, Conduct, and Commercial Organization in the Late Republic Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	20
3. Senators and Commerce Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	48
4. Luxury, Productivity, and Decline: Villa Society on the Bay of Naples Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	72
5. The "Typicality" of Trimalchi Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	97
6. The Freedmen of Puteoli and Ostia in Imperial Economy and Society Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	121
7. Attitudes, Conduct, and Commercial Organization in the Early Empire Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	149
Appendix. Augustales of Puteoli and Ostia Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	175
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Edition: Reprint 2013
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Front matter: 18
- Main content: 201
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 25
- Other: illustrations
Keywords: Social classes -- Rome -- History.; Rome -- Commerce -- History.; HISTORY / General

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674331198

Hardcover

Published: February 5, 1981
ISBN: 9780674331181