Shaping Regionality in Socio-Economic Systems: Late Hellenistic - Late Roman Ceramic Production, Circulation, and Consumption in Boeotia, Central Greece (c. 150 BC-AD 700)

Shaping Regionality in Socio-Economic Systems: Late Hellenistic-Late Roman Ceramic Production, Circulation, and Consumption in Boeotia, Central Greece (c. 150 BC–AD 700) explores the complexity of ancient economies and (ceramic) variability and change in Boeotia, Central Greece, using survey data generated by the Boeotia Project. It illustrates the existence of a range of (micro-)regions within Boeotia characterized by patterns and differences in ceramic production, variable intensities of interaction in larger networks, and consumer preferences and/or variability in aspects of consumption. The book shows that we can gain a better understanding of the ways in which regions emerged, were articulated, and maintained, and how regions and local economies functioned from within through the detailed study of ceramics and other relevant data on Boeotia and the wider ancient world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 394 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

Shaping Regionality in Socio-Economic Systems: Late Hellenistic-Late Roman Ceramic Production, Circulation, and Consumption in Boeotia, Central Greece (c. 150 BC-AD 700) offers valuable insights into local economies during the (late) Hellenistic to Late Roman periods. The concepts of regions and regionality are employed to explore the complexity of ancient economies and (ceramic) variability and change in Boeotia (Central Greece), largely based on survey data generated by the Boeotia Project for Thespiae, Askra, Hyettos, Tanagra, and their surroundings. The analysis illustrates the existence of a range of (micro-)regions within Boeotia characterized by patterns and differences in ceramic production, variable intensities of interaction in larger networks, and consumer preferences and/or variability in aspects of consumption. By placing this patterning in a broader context, this study demonstrates that spatio-temporal differences in pottery production and circulation (as well as differences in something that might be called the 'performance of ancient economies) are shaped by geographical factors, the ways in which communities and interactions were organized institutionally, aspects of agency, and the unfolding of history. Although we can observe these three main factors that contributed to the shaping of regional differences, such processes were contextually embedded and took root on a very local scale through various forms of agency and consumption practices. The book shows that by conducting a detailed study of ceramics and other relevant data on Boeotia and the wider ancient world, we can gain a better understanding of how regions emerged, were articulated, and maintained, and how regions and local economies functioned from within.

Weight: 1490g
Dimension: 210 x 299 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803272191