Roman Law and Maritime Commerce

Abstract

Examines the conduct of Roman long-distance trade in its social and legal context Employs a robust and innovative methodology drawing on maritime archaeological remains and textual, epigraphic and papyrological sources Explores the relationship between Roman long-distance trade and the development of legal institutions Includes contributions from Peter B. Campbell, Gabriele Cifani, Roberto Fiori, Éva Jakab, Annalisa Marzano, Gianfranco Purpura and Anna Tarwacka Bringing together specialists in ancient history, archaeology and Roman law, this book provides new perspectives on long-distance trade in the Roman world. Recent archaeological work has shown that maritime trade across the Mediterranean intensified greatly at the same time as the Roman state was extending its power overseas. This book explores aspects of this development and its relationship with changes in the legal and institutional apparatus that supported maritime commerce. It analyses the socio-legal framework within which maritime trade was conducted, and in doing so presents a new understanding of the role played by legal and social institutions in the economy of the Roman world.