Economic Theory and the Ancient Mediterranean

Economic Theory and the Ancient Mediterranean presents a comprehensive introduction to the application of contemporary economic theory to the various societies populating the ancient regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea from 5000 BCE to 400 CE. Written for a broad range of scholars, this accessible reference provides an explanation of the core principles of economic theory and then goes on to address a variety of interrelated research topics in the economies of ancient Mediterranean societies. Throughout the text, examples from the literature vividly demonstrate the relevance of current economic models in the study of antiquity  through implicit and explicit application—not just within Mediterranean societies, but throughout the ancient world. Innovative and thought–provoking, Economic Theory and the Ancient Mediterranean offers enlightening insights into the relevance of contemporary economic models to a broad range of research topics relating to the study of antiquity.

Donald W. Jones is Adjunct Professor of Classics, University of Tennessee, and is also an economic consultant involved with demand forecasting and energy economics.  He is the author of External Relations of Early Iron Age Crete, 1100–600 B.C. (2000) and co–editor of Measuring the Full Costs and Benefits of Transpiration (1997).