The economics of space and mobility in Roman urbanism

Abstract

The Roman world offers a great diversity of economic spaces due to its size, geographic contrasts and duration. Natural conditions such as the presence of mineral resources, soil fertility or climate influenced the economic development of its various regions, but the role of cities and their connecting communication routes, as commercial hubs and arteries, was certainly equal if not more important. The coastal towns mentioned, as well as many others spread over the wider Mediterranean, illustrate well that the foundation of these colonies was a complex operation, which soon involved a complete reorganization of space, including economic space, in and around the urban centre and in its wider territory. The requirements of production, distribution and consumption, often moulded by commercial incentives, certainly had a strong impact on the shape of urban space and the structure of urban networks in the Roman empire.