From the Adriatic to the Alps: Transport and Trade Networks in Roman and Late Antique Northern Italy
By (author) James Page
Paperback (Published)
(March 2025)
ISBN: 9781803279732
8.07 x 11.42 inches
Price: $56.00
On back order
Examines inland trade in Roman Northern Italy, revealing complex dynamics beyond the proximity of coastlines. Using datasets of amphorae, finewares, and marble, it highlights the importance of transport costs, river networks, and trans-mountain trade, showing diverse consumption patterns and the interplay between cost and consumer choice.
During the Roman period, inland regions are often assumed to have been difficult to access, with imports and trade dropping off as distance from the coast increased. Long-distance maritime trade has been the subject of intensive study, but the complex dynamics that governed inland trade have not seen the same level of interest. Within this book, Northern Italy serves as a case study to explore the role transport cost and consumer choice played in the distribution of local and imported goods throughout inland regions. Using three contrasting, quantified datasets of amphorae, finewares, and marble (together forming the Material Data in Northern Italy (MADINI) dataset), chronological and spatial patterns in inland trade are analysed using aoristic analysis and hierarchical clustering. The results demonstrate that inland trade was far more complex than a simple regression of imports as distance from the coast increased. Clear zones of consumption across Northern Italy are seen in the distribution of the material data, often closely linked to transport costs. While the river network is shown to have been a crucial in facilitating inland transport, the significance of trans-mountain trade across the Alps and the Apennines has been underestimated. Areas furthest inland are often shown to have had the greatest diversity in the provenance and types of material, as opposed to coastal areas which demonstrate a more limited selection. The results highlight the diverse array of factors governing inland trade and the interplay between cost and choice in the decisions made by consumers.
Introduction Past Research on Trade in Northern Italy Towards a Quantitative Approach The MADINI Dataset Methods and Approaches Transport and Infrastructure: The Backbone of Economic Networks The Road Network The River Network The Canal Network Interconnected Infrastructure 'The Richest District'. Production and Exports from Northern Italy Transforming the Landscape: Adaptation and Exploitation Staple Goods: Wine, Cereals, and Oil Exports: Northern Italic Produce in the Roman World Amphorae: Containers and Consumables Zones of Production Chronological Trends Geographic Trends Amphora-borne Trade in Northern Italy Conclusions,
Introduction
Past Research on Trade in Northern Italy
Towards a Quantitative Approach
The MADINI Dataset
Methods and Approaches
Transport and Infrastructure: The Backbone of Economic Networks
The Road Network
The River Network
The Canal Network
Interconnected Infrastructure
‘The Richest District’. Production and Exports from Northern Italy
Transforming the Landscape: Adaptation and Exploitation
Staple Goods: Wine, Cereals, and Oil
Exports: Northern Italic Produce in the Roman World
Amphorae: Containers and Consumables
Zones of Production
Chronological Trends
Geographic Trends
Amphora-borne Trade in Northern Italy
Conclusions
Red-Slipped Finewares: Local and Long-Distance Consumption
Fineware Types and Zones of Production
Chronological Trends
Geographic Trends
Trade in Red-Slip Finewares in Northern Italy
Conclusion
Decorative Stone: Indulgence and Compromise
Zones of Extraction
Exploring Stone and Marble Trends
The Stone Trade in Northern Italy
Conclusions
Trade, Transport, and Economy in Northern Italy
Transport Costs and Networks
Zones of Consumption
Inland Trade: Costs and Other Factors
Chronological Variation: Amphorae and Finewares
A Disconnected and Isolated Region?
Conclusions
Appendix A: Fluvial Navigation in Northern Italy
Appendix B: Values Used in the Hierarchical Clustering
Amphorae
Red-Slipped Finewares
Decorative Stone
Bibliography
- By (author) James Page
'Page’s volume has brought together robust data for Northern Italy and offered another path forward toward more systematic analysis of the interactions that tied together Rome’s empire. If we can ask still more questions about taste and urban pull, about transfer logistics and multiscalar movement, and if we can explore qualitative factors that intersected with these transport costs, it is because of efforts like Page’s to gather such rich and informative datasets.' – Justin Leidwanger (2026): Bryn Mawr Classical Review
—
'Owing to its multivariate approach and extensive empirical foundation, it could become a standard reference work for research on ancient trade and transport routes in northern Italy and the patterns associated with them.' [translated] – Max Fiederling (2026): Bonner Jahrbuch 224
—
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