TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Trade and Traders - Economics Conclusions
- Basis of research on pottery mainly African extensive hypothesis on long distance trade. 2nd and 4th century African pottery gradually dominates Western sites, whilst former exports from Gaul and Baetica diminish. Next growth of Constantinople and diversion of grain to C from Egypt Carthage , Constantinople. No break even with Vandal conquest of North Africa in 439. Periods of decline; Barbarian settlement and problems in North Africa further decline in 7th century.
- Is pottery a sign of trading links? What do they tell us of the impact of barbarian economy on Mediterranean economy? Also does it tell us that with urban change that significant weakening of classical antiquity located in later sixth early seventh century
- All issues still ongoing debate some see evidence as reflecting trading patterns of a market economy what effect of Vandal conquest of North Africa. Wickham refers to grain requisitioning system saying hat if grin can be exported why not other things cessation of this with Vandal invasion would have had serious consequences. Cessation of North Africa trading link had serious effect on markets in Rome and Constantinople.
Conclusion
- No simple way to characterize the economy; profound impact of barbarian invasion, tendency to amassing large amounts of land, return to taxation in coinage and not kind, gulf between east and west, difficulty experience by government in collection of revenues and staffing own administration. Barbarians had a profound economic impact on the west, whereas East evidence of population increase and intensified agricultural cultivation but by late 6th century plague and impact of war harder for East to maintain same strength of army.
- Impossible to generalize about such big chronological time spans but historiography abound with confident value judgements about the decline and end of antiquity. System was cumbersome and defective; lacking modern communication could not respond rapidly to change. Officials did what they could, people cheated the system. Surprising that traditional society survived so well.
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