Settlement and Society in Early Imperial Etruria

Witcher, R.E.

doi:10.3815/000000006784016161

Settlement and Society in Early Imperial Etruria

Witcher, R.E.

Authors

Dr Robert Witcher r.e.witcher@durham.ac.uk
Associate Professor

Abstract

This paper compares the early imperial period results from thirty surveys in and around regio VII Etruria in order to identify similarities and differences of settlement, population and economy. Three sub-regional patterns are defined: the suburbium, coastal Etruria and inland Etruria. Consideration of methodological issues of survey comparison suggests the problem is real, but not insuperable. A range of interpretative models is discussed with particular reference to the impact of the urbs on economic, agricultural and social developments. The structural connections between the sub-regions are emphasized, particularly the organization of labour, demography and agricultural strategies. The results reveal varied responses to Roman control, leading to more not less social and economic diversity. More generally, the results underline the value of comparing regional survey data.

Citation

Witcher, R. (2006). Settlement and Society in Early Imperial Etruria. The Journal of Roman Studies, 96, 88-123. https://doi.org/10.3815/000000006784016161

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2006
Deposit Date	Jun 26, 2008
Publicly Available Date	Jan 20, 2010
Journal	Journal of Roman Studies
Print ISSN	0075-4358
Electronic ISSN	1753-528X
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	96
Pages	88-123
DOI	https://doi.org/10.3815/000000006784016161
Keywords	Roman Italy, Etruria, Field survey, Roman economy, Comparative survey, Early empire.
Publisher URL	http://www.romansociety.org/webjrs06.htm