The African boom? : evaluating economic growth in the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis
This study attempts to evaluate the social implications of economic changes that occurred in Roman North Africa between the fall of Carthage in 146 BC and the arrival of the Vandals in the mid-5th century AD. Several authors have argued that Africa experienced significant economic growth during this period. Some have even argued that this increase in economic activity resulted in the lower orders being substantially better off by late Antiquity than they had been previously. Here, as well as assembling much quantitative information, I examine the qualitative elements which characterised this specific period of expansion in economic activity, manifested most clearly in the increasing exportation of African ceramics to Rome in the late 2nd century AD and the intensification of agricultural production visible in the remains of farms specialising in the production of olive oil and wine. I repudiate the use of certain modern economic concepts such as âGDPâ, âper capita incomeâ, and âconsumer behaviourâ, which I see as reflecting the neoliberalisation of the study of the Roman economy. In their place, I attempt to substitute an approach that examines the changing structure of ancient North African society
Hobson, Matthew Simon
The African boom? : evaluating economic growth in the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis. This study attempts to evaluate the social implications of economic changes that occurred in Roman North Africa between the fall of Carthage in 146 BC and the arrival of the Vandals in the mid-5th century AD. Several authors have argued that Africa experienced significant economic growth during this period. Some have even argued that this increase in economic activity resulted in the lower orders being substantially better off by late Antiquity than they had been previously. Here, as well as assembling much quantitative information, I examine the qualitative elements which characterised this specific period of expansion in economic activity, manifested most clearly in the increasing exportation of African ceramics to Rome in the late 2nd century AD and the intensification of agricultural production visible in the remains of farms specialising in the production of olive oil and wine. I repudiate the use of certain modern economic concepts such as âGDPâ, âper capita incomeâ, and âconsumer behaviourâ, which I see as reflecting the neoliberalisation of the study of the Roman economy. In their place, I attempt to substitute an approach that examines the changing structure of ancient North African society
african boom evaluate economic_growth roman_province africa study_attempt evaluate social_implication economic_change occur roman north_africa fall arrival several author argue africa experience significant economic_growth period even argue increase economic_activity result low_order substantially well late_antiquity previously well assemble much quantitative information examine qualitative element characterise specific period expansion economic_activity manifest clearly increase african ceramic rome intensification agricultural_production visible remain farm specialise production oil wine repudiate use certain modern economic concept per income consumer_behaviour see reflect study roman_economy place attempt substitute examines_change structure ancient north african society