Land Transport in Roman Egypt: A Study of Economics and Administration in a Roman Province (Oxford Classical Monographs)

## Abstract Transport has been seen as one of the greatest failures of ancient technology. Land transport especially, due to its cost, restricted growth in the Roman economy. This book challenges these views, using the evidence of papyri from Roman Egypt, and argues that land transport, even in a country so dominated by a river which provided a natural highway, was an essential part of a system of transport that allowed for vigorous trading activity, but provided the Roman state with valuable resources which, through careful management, it could use for its own transport requirements: supplying the Roman army, transporting tax profits, and transporting bulk commodities such a stone for imperial building projects. It explores the economics of animal ownership, the role of transport in the agricultural and commercial economies of Egypt, state bureaucracy and the organization of transport. It examines the complex relationship between the state and private individuals and seeks to show that transport by land formed a vital part of everyday economic activity in Egypt. It contributes to our understanding of the economy of a Roman province and argues for a positive view of the role of transport in the ancient economy. The Papyri Of Egypt Provide An Insight Into How This Important Roman Province Actually Worked. They Also Afford A Window Into Ancient Economic Behaviour And Everyday Life. This Is The First Systematic Treatment Of The Role Of Land Transport Within The Economic Life Of Roman Egypt, An Everyday Economic Activity At The Centre Of The Economy Not Only Of Egypt But Of The Roman World. Colin Adams Studies The Economics Of Animal Ownership, The Role Of Transport In The Commercial And Agricultural Economies Of Egypt, And How The Roman State Used Provincial Resources To Meet Its Own Transport Demands. He Reveals A Complex Relationship Between Private Individuals And The State In Their Use Of Transport Resources; A Dynamic And Rational Economy; And The Economic And Administrative Behaviour That Was Imposed When An Imperial Power Made Demands Upon A Province. His Study Makes A Significant Contribution To Our Understanding Of The Ancient Economy And Of The Workings Of Roman Provincial Government In General.--book Jacket. Introduction : Transport And The Economy Of The Roman World -- The Geography, Topography And Land Transport Networks Of Egypt -- Transport Animals And Wagons -- Animal Use And Maintenance -- Animal Trade And Ownership -- State Control Of Animal Ownership -- Animal Requisition -- State Grain Transport -- Deserts And Military Supply -- Trade And Transport -- Transport And The Land Economy -- Conclusion. Colin Adams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [292]-314) And Index. Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 8 Notes for the Reader......Page 10 Maps......Page 13 PART I. SETTING THE SCENE......Page 16 1. Introduction: Transport and the Economy of the Roman World......Page 18 2. The Geography, Topography and Land Transport Networks of Egypt......Page 32 PART II. TRANSPORT RESOURCES......Page 62 3. Transport Animals and Wagons......Page 64 4. Animal Use and Maintenance......Page 85 5. Animal Trade and Ownership......Page 106 PART III. THE ORGANIZATION OF TRANSPORT......Page 132 6. State Control of Animal Ownership......Page 134 7. Animal Requisition......Page 150 PART IV. CASE STUDIES......Page 172 8. State Grain Transport......Page 174 9. Deserts and Military Supply......Page 211 10. Trade and Transport......Page 235 11. Transport and the Land Economy......Page 269 Conclusion......Page 298 Bibliography......Page 307 Index Locorum......Page 330 C......Page 342 F......Page 343 N......Page 344 T......Page 345 W......Page 346 The papyri of Egypt offer a rich and complex picture of this important Roman province and provide an unparalleled insight into how a Roman province actually worked. They also afford a valuable window into ancient economic behaviour and everyday life. This study is the first systematic treatment of the role of land transport within the economic life of Roman Egypt, an everyday economic activity at the centre of the economy not only of Egypt but of the Roman world. Colin Adams studies the economics of animal ownership, the role of transport in the commercial and agricultural economies of Egypt, and how the Roman state used provincial resources to meet its own transport demands. He reveals a complex relationship between private individual and state in their use of transport resources, a dynamic and rational economy, and the economic and administrative behaviour imposed when an imperial power made demands upon a province. The papyri of Egypt offer a rich and complex picture of this important Roman province and provide an unparalleled insight into how a Roman province actually worked. They also afford a valuable window into ancient economic behavior and everyday life. This study is the first systematic treatment of the role of land transport within the economic life of Roman Egypt, an everyday economic activity at the center of the economy not only of Egypt but of the Roman world. Colin Adams studies the economics of animal ownership, the role of transport in the commercial and agricultural economies of Egypt, and how the Roman state used provincial resources to meet its own transport demands. He reveals a complex relationship between private individual and state in their use of transport resources, a dynamic and rational economy, and the economic and administrative behavior imposed when an imperial power made demands upon a province. The first systematic treatment of the role of land transport within the economic life of Roman Egypt, an everyday economic activity at the centre of the economy not only of Egypt but the Roman world. - ;The papyri of Egypt offer a rich and complex picture of this important Roman province and provide an unparalleled insight into how a Roman province actually worked. They also afford a valuable window into ancient economic behaviour and everyday life. This study is the first systematic treatment of the role of land transport within the economic life of Roman Egypt, an everyday economic activity Offering a systematic treatment of the role of land transport within the economic life of Roman Egypt, this work studies the economics of animal ownership, the role of transport in the commercial and agricultural economies of Egypt, and how the Roman state used provincial resources to meet its own transport demands