Innovations and economic development in the Roman Empire

• Main Author: Helmuth Schneider
• Format: Article
• Language: deu
• Published: Akdeniz University 2019-05-01
• Series: Gephyra
• Subjects: ancient technic; roman empire; innovations; antik teknik; roma i̇mparatorluğu; teknolojik gelişmeler
• Online Access: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/gephyra/issue/42706/504891?publisher=nalan-eda-akyurek-sahin
• ISSN: 1309-3924; 2651-5059

A look at the innovations, especially in the economy, but also in other areas of Roman society, reveals two sides of Roman civilization: In addition to a strong sense of political and family traditions and a respect of traditional values there was a great willingness to innovate if they were to increase the efficiency of the political and social system, thereby increasing the dignity of the res publica or, in the private sphere, the social rank of a family. Even the policies of the middle and late Roman republic proved in many ways to be innovative; In particular, we should point out the popular policy that since the laws of the Gracchi has repeatedly formulated new proposals to adapt the republic to new political, social and economic needs. Finally, under Augustus, this policy culminated in the creation of a constitutionally new system, the Principate, which combined the old institutions of the Republic with new power structures. Technical innovations were perceived and positively valued by ancient authors such as Vitruvius, Heron or Pliny; however, the Romans were unable to quantify their economic effect, the increase in productivity. However, it should not be overlooked that the technical innovations for the economy, transport, architecture and infrastructure had profound consequences; they are by no means to be considered as marginal, because they increased productivity in agriculture and crafts, thereby contributing on the one hand to increasing profits of large landowners and on the other hand to improving the supply of agricultural products and craft products to the population. Especially in the field of infrastructure, for example in the water supply, they had positive effects on the welfare of the population. The technical innovations were therefore undoubtedly in addition to the long period of peace beginning under Augustus, which guaranteed to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean an unprecedented external and internal security, an indispensable condition of that urbanity, which in the Principate's time was characterized by widespread prosperity and high aesthetic standards the material culture was characterized.