The Nabataeans and trade : contributing elements
Date
1992
Authors
Dudley, Dennine Lynette
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This thesis is an examination of the information which pertains to Nabataean commercial activity. By exploring the factors which influenced their economic prosperity, it will be shown that the Nabataeans' success in this area was due entirely to their own efforts and was not the result of Roman administration. While the trade activities of the Nabataeans are often noted in passing, there is, as yet, no study which deals with the range of problems associated with Nabataean economics. This paper compiles and examines information from ancient sources, archaeological data, ethnographic records, and discussions in modern scholarship to establish an overall view of Nabataean commercial enterprise.
Chapters I and II discuss the history, geography and social structure of the Nabataeans in order to provide the background for their commercial activity. Chapter I outlines the history of the Nabataeans and describes the environmental conditions of the regions which they inhabited. Chapter II uses ethnographic parallels and ancient literature and physical remains to create a profile of Nabataean social structure. This chapter argues that the Nabataeans were not simply nomads, but also developed other modes of living which facilitated trade activity.
Chapter Ill contains an outline of the routes travelled in the ancient Near East. The development of the Nabataean trade network is examined and the major trade centres are described. The evidence for the geographical distribution of Nabataeans outside of Nabataea is also provided.
Chapter IV lists the main Nabataean commodities according to region of origin and considers the general characteristics of the products. Because of their importance to Nabataean trade, frankincense and myrrh are discussed in detail.
Chapter V focusses on the technology of Nabataean trade. Maritime shipping and land transport are described and compared with respect to the aromatics trade. The supervision and support system which allowed the trade network to function efficiently are discussed. Information concerning taxation is presented and methods of exchange employed by the Nabataeans are described.
Chapter VI considers the problem of Roman involvement in the Near Eastern trade. It is the conclusion of this chapter that Roman administration was not responsible for the commercial success of Nabataea. The history of contact between Rome and Nabataea is outlined and the role of Romans in the Eastern trade is considered.
The conclusion contains a brief restatement of the summary findings of the main text. Although the lack of explicit evidence from the Nabataean period means no model of the trade can be accepted without question, it is hoped that the outline provided here will prove a satisfactory base for further study.
Description
Keywords
UN SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth