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