Roman Transport Network Connectivity and Economic Integration

Arbeitspapier

We show that the creation of the first integrated pan-European transport network during Roman times influences economic integration over two millennia. Drawing on spatially highly disaggregated data on excavated Roman ceramics, we document that interregional trade was strongly influenced by connectivity within the network. Today, these connectivity differentials continue to influence cross-regional firm investment behaviour. Continuity is largely explained by selective infrastructure routing and cultural integration due to bilateral convergence in preferences and values. Both plausibly arise from network-induced history of repeated socio-economic interaction. We show that our results are Roman-connectivity specific and do not reflect pre-existing patterns of exchange.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 7740

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Empirical Studies of Trade ; Economic Integration ; International Investment; Long-term Capital Movements ; Economic History: Transport, Trade, Energy, Technology, and Other Services: Europe: Pre-1913 ; Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity ; Transportation Economics: General ; Economic Development: Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
• Subject: economic integration ; Roman trade ; transport network connectivity ; business links ; cultural similarity

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Flückiger, Matthias ; Hornung, Erik ; Larch, Mario ; Ludwig, Markus ; Mees, Allard
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/201966
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET