Fleets of Tarshish: Trading Ventures and Other Tall Tales of the Bible

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article reconsiders the issue of exchange (or trade as it is often called) in ancient Southwest Asia. It does so by tackling the widespread assumption, based on neoclassical economics, that there was an “international market economy” based on long distance trade. I challenge that assumption both by analysing the metaphorical image of exchange in biblical texts con-cerning Solomon and by drawing upon archaeological evidence and theoreti-cal considerations. By doing so, it is possible to reassess and redefine three key economic features of the ancient world: surplus, exchange, and market. Surpluses were produced by farmers for difficult times ahead, long-distance exchange was primarily in preciocities, and markets were generated out of lo-gistical concerns with provisioning armies and not primarily for profit (as is the case with most markets throughout history). I also find that the merchant was a very despised figure in the ancient world, for he was at the same time diplomat, tax collector, usurer and landlord. In light of this evidence, the arti-cle closes by asking why neoclassical models have become so popular in the last 25 years.