The Making of the Ancient Greek Economy : Institutions, Markets, and Growth in the City-States

This comprehensive introduction to the ancient Greek economy revolutionizes our understanding of the subject and its possibilities. The book combines a thorough knowledge of ancient sources with innovative new approaches grounded in recent economic historiography to provide a detailed picture of the Greek economy between the last century of the Archaic Age and the closing of the Hellenistic period. Focusing on the city-state, which the author sees as the most important economic institution in the Greek world, the book addresses all of the city-states rather than only Athens. An expanded and updated English edition of an acclaimed work originally published in French, the book offers a ground-breaking new theoretical framework for studying the economy of ancient Greece; presents a masterful survey and analysis of the most important economic institutions, resources, and other factors; and addresses some major historiographical debates. Among the many topics covered are climate, demography, transportation, agricultural production, market institutions, money and credit, taxes, exchange, long-distance trade, and economic growth. The result is an unparalleled demonstration that, unlike just a generation ago, it is possible today to study the ancient Greek economy as an economy and not merely as a secondary aspect of social or political history. This is essential reading for students, historians of antiquity, and economic historians of all periods. This Comprehensive Introduction To The Ancient Greek Economy Revolutionizes Our Understanding Of The Subject And Its Possibilities. Alain Bresson Is One Of The World's Leading Authorities In The Field, And He Is Helping To Redefine It. Here He Combines A Thorough Knowledge Of Ancient Sources With Innovative New Approaches Grounded In Recent Economic Historiography To Provide A Detailed Picture Of The Greek Economy Between The Last Century Of The Archaic Age And The Closing Of The Hellenistic Period. Focusing On The City-state, Which He Sees As The Most Important Economic Institution In The Greek World, Bresson Addresses All Of The City-states Rather Than Only Athens. An Expanded And Updated English Edition Of An Acclaimed Work Originally Published In French, The Book Offers A Groundbreaking New Theoretical Framework For Studying The Economy Of Ancient Greece; Presents A Masterful Survey And Analysis Of The Most Important Economic Institutions, Resources, And Other Factors; And Addresses Some Major Historiographical Debates. Among The Many Topics Covered Are Climate, Demography, Transportation, Agricultural Production, Market Institutions, Money And Credit, Taxes, Exchange, Long-distance Trade, And Economic Growth.the Result Is An Unparalleled Demonstration That, Unlike Just A Generation Ago, It Is Possible Today To Study The Ancient Greek Economy As An Economy And Not Merely As A Secondary Aspect Of Social Or Political History. This Is Essential Reading For Students, Historians Of Antiquity, And Economic Historians Of All Periods-- Introduction -- The Economy Of Ancient Greece : A Conceptual Framework -- Structures And Production -- People In Their Environment -- Energy, Economy, And Transport Cost -- The Polis And The Economy -- Agricultural Production -- The Economy Of The Agricultural World -- Nonagricultural Production, Capital, And Innovation -- The Logic Of Growth -- Market And Trade -- The Institutions Of The Domestic Market -- Money And Credit -- City-states, Taxes, And Trade -- The Emporion And The Markets -- International Trade Networks -- Strategies Of International Trade -- The Greek Cities And The Market. Alain Bresson ; Translated By Steven Rendall. Translated From The French. This Book Was Originally Published In France, Armand Colin, Publishers -- Title Page Verso. Edition Statement From Book Jacket. Originally Published In 2 Vols.: Paris : Armand Colin, C2007 And C2008. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A revolutionary account of the ancient Greek economy This comprehensive introduction to the ancient Greek economy revolutionizes our understanding of the subject and its possibilities. Alain Bresson is one of the world's leading authorities in the field, and he is helping to redefine it. Here he combines a thorough knowledge of ancient sources with innovative new approaches grounded in recent economic historiography to provide a detailed picture of the Greek economy between the last century of the Archaic Age and the closing of the Hellenistic period. Focusing on the city-state, which he sees as the most important economic institution in the Greek world, Bresson addresses all of the city-states rather than only Athens. An expanded and updated English edition of an acclaimed work originally published in French, the book offers a groundbreaking new theoretical framework for studying the economy of ancient Greece; presents a masterful survey and analysis of the most important economic institutions, resources, and other factors; and addresses some major historiographical debates. Among the many topics covered are climate, demography, transportation, agricultural production, market institutions, money and credit, taxes, exchange, long-distance trade, and economic growth. The result is an unparalleled demonstration that, unlike just a generation ago, it is possible today to study the ancient Greek economy as an economy and not merely as a secondary aspect of social or political history. This is essential reading for students, historians of antiquity, and economic historians of all periods. "This comprehensive introduction to the ancient Greek economy revolutionizes our understanding of the subject and its possibilities. Alain Bresson is one of the world's leading authorities in the field, and he is helping to redefine it. Here he combines a thorough knowledge of ancient sources with innovative new approaches grounded in recent economic historiography to provide a detailed picture of the Greek economy between the last century of the Archaic Age and the closing of the Hellenistic period. Focusing on the city-state, which he sees as the most important economic institution in the Greek world, Bresson addresses all of the city-states rather than only Athens. An expanded and updated English edition of an acclaimed work originally published in French, the book offers a groundbreaking new theoretical framework for studying the economy of ancient Greece; presents a masterful survey and analysis of the most important economic institutions, resources, and other factors; and addresses some major historiographical debates. Among the many topics covered are climate, demography, transportation, agricultural production, market institutions, money and credit, taxes, exchange, long-distance trade, and economic growth. The result is an unparalleled demonstration that, unlike just a generation ago, it is possible today to study the ancient Greek economy as an economy and not merely as a secondary aspect of social or political history. This is essential reading for students, historians of antiquity, and economic historians of all periods"-- Provided by publisher