Abstract
The Roman army conquered the entire Mediterranean coastline along with most of Europe. This area was never as unified by any other power. The Roman military, and the need to equip it for war and expansion, extensively affected the Roman economy for better and for worse. On the one hand, the armies returned to the Roman economic environment resources, including treasure and slaves. In addition, the need to produce military supplies, including equipment, resulted in temporary increases in production and employment. On the other hand, the constant wars and need for additional equipment was a tremendous burden on the economy. In addition, men and resources were diverted from the internal (non-military) economy into the military effort, which at certain times made the internal economy slower to develop. This study takes a closer look at how the changing equipment of the legionnaire forces in particular impacted the Roman economy over a period of five centuries. The element is discussed in light of the formalist-substantivist debate as reflected in the work of Polanyi, Finley, Cook, and Runnels.
Advisor
Kardulias, P. Nicholas
Department
Archaeology
Recommended Citation
Yeazell, Owen E., "The Roman Military Industrial Complex: A Study of the Relationship of the Evolution of Roman Equipment and the Roman Economy" (2014). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 6157.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/6157
Disciplines
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity
Keywords
Roman, military, economy
Publication Date
2014
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2014 Owen E. Yeazell