Construction economics in antiquity
Book chapter, 2022

This chapter reviews the current state of research on the economics of construction in ancient Greece and Rome. Inscriptions, literary sources and archaeological reconstruction allow us to estimate costs and socioeconomic consequences of public construction, from the early palace cultures to Late Antiquity. Athenian democracy required accountability and audits, causing construction accounts to be inscribed; best preserved are the Epidaurus sanctuary inscriptions. Historians and other ancient authors provide additional information and reveal attitudes to major construction projects. Archaeology and reconstructions of buildings form the basis of another research approach, pioneered for the Baths of Caracalla in Rome. The idea is to combine data from the AD 301 Prices Edict with work rates in 19th century builders’ manuals to estimate project costs. Sustainability issues are mostly present in the increasing reuse of stone and bricks in Late Antiquity

construction

greek

economics

roman

antiquity

Author

Jan Bröchner

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Service Management and Logistics

Research Companion to Construction Economics

86-103
978-1-83910-822-8 (ISBN)

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Economic History

History and Archaeology

Construction Management

DOI

10.4337/9781839108235.00012

More information

Latest update

4/21/2023