Trade networks in the Roman economy. Family relationships, trust and cooperation in a growing state structure.

This project aims at a structural analysis of trade networks in the Roman economy, more specifically in Republican Delos on the one hand and Ostia and Puteoli during the Imperial period on the other hand. A comparison of both analyses will show to what extent the introduction of a uniform governmental structure influences the nature of the networks. The working hypothesis is that political integration makes wider and more efficient networks possible.