This thesis investigates and discusses the rise and decline of the Baetican oil industry in the context of some of the wider economic, social and political developments in the Roman world between...Show moreThis thesis investigates and discusses the rise and decline of the Baetican oil industry in the context of some of the wider economic, social and political developments in the Roman world between the 1st and 3rd century AD.The focus lies on the influence of the Ius latii and the Roman conquests in northern Europe on the process of oil and amphorae production in Baetica as well as the patterns of oil distribution across the western Roman empire and Rome. The thesis also investigates the role and influence of the Roman state on the development of oil production and export and inscriptions on amphorae.Show less
This thesis looks at changes in landholding patterns in the age of Sulla. While most studies on landholding patterns focus on the second century B.C., the author argues that the first century B.C....Show moreThis thesis looks at changes in landholding patterns in the age of Sulla. While most studies on landholding patterns focus on the second century B.C., the author argues that the first century B.C. is deserving of more scholarly attention since many big changes occur in this period. The author discusses Sulla’s colonization programme and the proscriptions in order to determine the effect of these measures on landholding patterns in Italy. Specifically, this thesis seeks to help illuminate the reasons behind the veritable explosion of villa-buildings after the age of Sulla. This study offers up a reassessment of the colonization programme and argues that the programme was conducted on a much smaller scale than is often thought. The overall impact of the programme is also far less significant than often assumed. It is argued that the proscriptions had a far larger impact on landholding patterns. The author argues that it was the proscriptions, and not the colonization programme, that is likely to have led to an increase in villa-buildings.Show less
This paper seeks to give a plausible range of population figures for second century A.D. Antioch in Roman Syria. The first chapter estimates the physical extent of the city and its suburbs. The...Show moreThis paper seeks to give a plausible range of population figures for second century A.D. Antioch in Roman Syria. The first chapter estimates the physical extent of the city and its suburbs. The second chapter studies the size and productivity of Antioch’s territory. On the basis of urbanisation rates, urban and rural population densities and ‘carrying capacity’ various scenarios are sketched to determine more and less likely figures. In the final chapter several ideas are considered towards explaining the population of Antioch and its hinterland.Show less
Research master thesis | History: Societies and Institutions (research) (MA)
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In this MPhil-thesis the author examines the nature of the later Roman economy by focusing on a papyrological archive from the 4th century A.D. The late antique economy is a combination of a...Show moreIn this MPhil-thesis the author examines the nature of the later Roman economy by focusing on a papyrological archive from the 4th century A.D. The late antique economy is a combination of a monetary economy and a barter economy, which is reflected in the papyrological material. The Roman empire had to adapt itself to rapidly changing circumstances from the 3rd century onwards, the fiscal system from the reign of Diocletian onwards is a perfect example of the way the Romans adapted their economy to the new circumstances. The main focus in this thesis is on an archive of ca. 50 papyri from Oxyrhynchus , Egypt, called the archive of Papnuthis and Dorotheus; two brothers levying taxes in the Oxyrhynchite nome.Show less