Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Trade in Ancient Rome

Embark on a journey through the bustling trade networks of ancient Rome with our curated reading list on commerce in the ancient city.

Delve into the vibrant economic life of Rome, where merchants, artisans, and entrepreneurs converged to exchange goods and ideas from across the Mediterranean world. Explore the pivotal role of Rome as a commercial hub, connecting distant provinces and fostering a thriving marketplace for luxury goods, staple commodities, and exotic treasures. Engage with leading scholars such as Keay, Rickman, and Morley, whose insightful research illuminates the dynamics of trade, commerce, and economic exchange in ancient Rome. From the bustling port of Ostia to the bustling markets of the Forum Romanum, our reading list offers a comprehensive exploration of Rome’s commercial infrastructure, marketplaces, and trading practices. Discover the intricacies of Roman trade routes, maritime commerce, and the circulation of goods and currencies that fueled the city’s prosperity and sustained its vast empire. Gain insight into the social, cultural, and economic implications of trade in ancient Rome, and appreciate the enduring legacy of Roman commerce in shaping the global economy. Whether you’re a scholar, student, or history enthusiast, our collection of scholarly works invites you to uncover the fascinating world of trade and commerce in one of antiquity’s greatest cities.

General

  • Coulston, J. & Dodge, H., Ancient Rome: the archaeology of the eternal city, Oxford, 2000, Ch 7.
  • Erdkamp, P. (ed.) The Cambridge companion to ancient Rome, Cambridge, 2013, Ch 13-16.
  • Robinson, O.F., Ancient Rome: city planning and administration, London, 1992, Ch 10.
  • Stambaugh, J.E., The ancient Roman city, Baltimore, 1988, Ch 9.

Further Reading

  • Dyson, S.L., Rome: a living portrait of an ancient city, Baltimore, 2010, Ch 9.
  • Garnsey, P., ‘Grain for Rome’ in Trade in the ancient economy, London, 1983, 118-30.
  • Keay, S.J., Rome, Portus and the Mediterranean, London, 2012.
  • Keay, S.J. & Paroli, L., Portus and its hinterland: recent archaeological research, London, 2011.
  • Morley, N., Metropolis and hinterland: the city of Rome and the Italian economy, 200 B.C.-A.D. 200, Cambridge, 1996.
  • Rickman, G., Roman granaries and store buildings, London, 1971.
  • Rickman, G., The corn supply of ancient Rome, Oxford, 1980.