The Seleukid royal economy : the finances and financial administration of the Seleukid Empire
The sources are first discussed, with emphasis on Near Eastern written material, archaeological data and numismatics. After a brief historical summary, the essential problem of the early Seleukid kings is presented: how to convert a commodity-based economy into a monetary one. The underlying economy of the empire is next described. An assessment by region points to a peak population of some 20 million, occupied mainly in agriculture and local trade, which the new city foundations and royal land-grants stimulated. Ps-Aristotle's Oikonomika forms the basis of the main section. It is argued that the work belongs to the early 3rd century B.C. and describes the conditions of the Seleukid empire. Every form of satrapal revenue listed is analysed and rates of tribute, taxation and rent derived, where possible, and shown to be generally high. Coinage is found to have been increasingly used for payments by the administration, mostly for a large standing army. Similarly, taxation receipts were also required in coin and surplus commodity production on royal land was disposed of for silver, where possible. The tetradrachm served as the primary medium and fiduciary bronze tended to be used in place of small silver, but
Aperghis, Gerassimos Efthimios George
Archaeology
The Seleukid royal economy : the finances and financial administration of the Seleukid Empire. The sources are first discussed, with emphasis on Near Eastern written material, archaeological data and numismatics. After a brief historical summary, the essential problem of the early Seleukid kings is presented: how to convert a commodity-based economy into a monetary one. The underlying economy of the empire is next described. An assessment by region points to a peak population of some 20 million, occupied mainly in agriculture and local trade, which the new city foundations and royal land-grants stimulated. Ps-Aristotle's Oikonomika forms the basis of the main section. It is argued that the work belongs to the early 3rd century B.C. and describes the conditions of the Seleukid empire. Every form of satrapal revenue listed is analysed and rates of tribute, taxation and rent derived, where possible, and shown to be generally high. Coinage is found to have been increasingly used for payments by the administration, mostly for a large standing army. Similarly, taxation receipts were also required in coin and surplus commodity production on royal land was disposed of for silver, where possible. The tetradrachm served as the primary medium and fiduciary bronze tended to be used in place of small silver, but
royal economy finance financial administration empire source first_discuss emphasis near_eastern write material archaeological_data numismatics brief_historical summary essential problem early king present convert commodity based_economy monetary underlie economy empire next described assessment region point peak population occupy mainly agriculture local trade new city foundation royal land stimulate aristotle form_basis main_section argue work belongs describe condition empire every form revenue list analysed rate tribute taxation rent derive possible show generally high coinage find increasingly used payment administration mostly large stand_army similarly taxation receipt also require coin surplus commodity production royal land dispose silver possible serve primary medium bronze tend used place small silver