Abstract
Aegean societies in the third and second millennia B.C. developed complex economics based on the accumulation of substantial agricultural surpluses, craft specialization, and intricate distribution systems. The trade items included both utilitarian and luxury goods. To place these activities in a proper context, this paper initially evaluates the world systems literature as it relates to antiquity. The paper then presents some specific evidence to support the contention that the Aegean BA economy was an adjunct to an Eastern Mediterranean world system. While Wallerstein's model offers valuable insights into the operation of trade networks, his approach has certain limitations. The paper explores some of these limitations, in particular the absence of periphery dependence on core areas that is a hallmark of modern capitalist systems, discusses revisions suggested by other scholars, and demonstrates the validity of the altered model with data from the Aegean. The evidence suggests the existence of a system with local, intraregional, and extraregional components. Finally, the paper also suggests that the world systemsapproach needs to place greater emphasis on production, not just exchange, as the crucial nexus of economic activity.
Highlights
Wallerstein's model offers valuable insights to the operation of trade networks, his approach has certain limitations
In sum, the Aegean trade system wa" extensive and administered by the palaces in the Late BA It brought into contact a variety of cultures with well develope d economics and an appetite for prestige and utilitarian goods
Because of the distanc es involved and the lack of direct control of sources of raw materials, no dependent core-periphery relationship s emerged betwee n the Aegean and the other major players (Egypt, Mesopotamia, Lcvantinc states). This docs not minimi ze the importanc e of the world systems perspective for provi ding a theoretical approach to understand the context of interaction
Summary
·Manyschohcrslur.rcal";ucdwhetherprcciq,ittl!istrade network.,constiti:ttcworld systems.At lc1.11st.1fsar I.ISthe Acgc1.1B1r1= Age(BA)is concerned,,nch a description seemsto be 11pJm,priatOc.verlandand sea trademntes, both localand long-di,tancc, were arcguhcrfcati:crocf AegeanBrnnzcAge societies.,exchangesy,temsof somesophisticationexistedin the ll!'Cdauringthe Ncolitlricand Mcsolitlric,bntthey did not possessthe requisitetraits of a worlds;,'>tcmT. he BA,howc.;;:r,v.11as dilTcrcntstory. For Weber the ancient economy of the Near East and Mediterranean wa.., a variable phenomenon, but [Page 3] Journal of World-Systems Research trade played a major role in a lucrative capitalist system geared to individual profit He outlined the major traits of ancient economics: "l) cities exported certain articles of high labor input and quality; 2) cities were constantly dependent on grain imports from distant lands; 3) slaves were purcha..,cd;4) city policies were shaped by specific commercial interests" (Weber 1976: 48). Finley argues that cycles in ancient economics were due to natural cata..,trophcs and political turmoil, and not to supply and demand in a money market He notes, in agreement with Rostovtzcff, that manufacturing played a minor role in providing goods to exchange for economic necessities (food, metal, slaves). Some of the readers will recognize in Polanyi's, and by extension Finley's, arguments the basis for the substantivist approach that decries the formalist effort to describe all economic behavior by universal rules of economic behavior
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