The economy of Roman Palestine

Judaea, which was later called Palestina, was a small province of the Roman Empire. At the end of the Roman era it became critically important as a centre of the monotheistic religions. This book describes the prospering economy of the region during the Roman era (70 AD to 400 AD) mainly in the rural area, presenting information that can be further applied to the study of the Roman Empire as a whole. The Roman era was a period characterized by demographic growth and corresponding economic development. The Talmudic sources, which were written in the third to seventh centuries, contain considerable evidence relating to the economy of the region and archeological research has added many details; combined they provide a complete description of the economy of the province. It is clear from the primary sources that agriculture was the major source of income. The main crops were grains, wine and oil. There were additional activities such as growing linen, wool, dates and fruit trees, and fishing. The rabbinic literature enables investigation of the monetary structure of the agricultural economy. Professor Safrai also reviews the industrial sector - production of textile and glass for export and other products for domestic consumption. Professor Safrai analyzes the economic structure, the highly developed trade system in the city and the village, the agrarian structure, the influence of the Roman army on the economy of the empire, means of payment, currency and other economic issues. In conclusion, Safrai argues that the economy of Palestina was based on trade and was largely an "open market economy."