Tides of History The Ancient Economy from Assyria to Augustus
9 snips
Oct 9, 2025 Explore the vibrant world of ancient economies, from the bustling trade of Delos to the emergence of coinage. Discover how economic history influences everyday life and laborers. Delve into the debate between primitivist and modernist views on market behavior. Learn how institutions shaped farmers' choices and what constituted money in various societies. Uncover the profound transformations that occurred between Assyria and Augustus, demonstrating the complex interplay of population growth, technology, and market institutions.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Merchant Life On The Docks
- Patrick Wyman narrates Gaius Polfenios trading in Delos to illustrate ancient commercial life.
- The story shows money transfers, reputation networks, and duty-free ports fueling merchant success.
A Transformative Millennium
- The first millennium BC saw major technological and commercial advances across Eurasia and North Africa.
- Innovations like iron tools, improved transport, and coinage transformed productivity and trade.
Finley's Status-Centered Model
- Moses Finley's primitivist view argued ancient economies were status-driven, not market-driven.
- He claimed elites and social norms suppressed profit-maximizing behavior and technological progress.
