The Classical Review | 2021
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN TOGA
Abstract
change relating to storage practices and imperial growth. Can similar considerations be made for areas of the empire that were more food-critical (and by extension storagecritical) for Rome, places such as Sicily, Baetica, Africa or Egypt? How did the interplay of local/regional practice and imperial growth manifest itself in these critical areas? (2) Related to the latter point about Egypt, grain storage rightfully plays a significant role throughout this book. I was left wondering, however, about the role that storage played in the intermediate links in the chaîne opératoire of Roman grain. For example, while not considered in this study, grain storage at Alexandria or temporary storage on ships (the latter, perhaps, being a partially unanswerable question) represent vital storage-related stages in the Roman grain networks. The above-mentioned points are not criticisms of the book; rather, they are intended as ideas about potential avenues for future researchers who may be stimulated by this study. The volume is written in a highly engaging style, and despite dealing with some very complex data and theoretical approaches, the themes and arguments remain clear throughout. The volume is richly illustrated with photographs (many taken by V.O.), maps and plans. It will find an audience amongst Roman archaeologists, historians and those with interests in economic and cultural histories/archaeologies alike. This is an outstanding study, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it breaks new ground in the social and economic history of the Roman Empire, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I will be listing this as essential reading for undergraduate students on my Roman Economy module.