Julius Caesar Economy

Civilization during the ancient times rose and fell within a century, but anomalies emerged because of strong economies. The Egyptian, Chinese, and Roman civilizations were just a few; however many societies clashed due to their thriving economies. The Roman Republic, in particular, came up on top, and the result was Rome having one of the most secure and successful economies to date. Julius Caesar was Rome’s most successful leaders and he paved the road for the Rome’s future and leaders to possess the most prosperous economy in ancient history. Despite constant warfare with other civilizations, Rome’s economy flourished due to improving agricultural tools and methods, increasing commerce across land and water, and exploiting slaves for free

Agriculture was undoubtedly where the majority of traded goods originated from; the minority of goods originated from mainly manufacturing and mining. Traded goods included animals, animal products like meat and wool, grain, olives, and wines, so “agriculture was at the core of most of the commercial activity in the ancient world” (Smith). Commerce across thousands of miles from Rome to as far east as China through land and sea routes. The Mediterranean Sea, for instance, bordered major civilizations, such as Egypt and Greece, that assisted Rome in increasing its economic power. After centuries of advancements in agriculture and commerce towards economic stabilization, “Rome became the greatest center of consumption of all, and Rome’s population rose to a million by the end of the first century BCE” (Smith). With a rapidly growing population, commerce was more crucial than ever since a reliable source of food was also necessary. Water routes within Rome itself increased the interdependence of cities as well. Rivers, mainly the Tiber River, became apparent as an essential route from inner Rome to the Mediterranean Sea. Alongside water routes, land routes also contributed to the increasing commerce around the world. While land routes were used for the movement of the military, goods were also traded on them, such as the Silk Road, which connected China to

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Emmons, Jim Tschen. “Roman Agriculture.” World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, ABC-CLIO, 2018, ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/583673. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.

Hollander, David B. “Economy in Ancient Rome.” Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Ancient World, Facts On File, 2007. Ancient and Medieval History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17677&itemid=WE49&articleId=226387. Accessed 21 Feb. 2018.

McKechnie, Paul. “Slaves and Slavery in Ancient Rome.” Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Ancient World, Facts On File, 2007. Ancient and Medieval History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17677&itemid=WE49&articleId=227221. Accessed 27 Feb. 2018.

Smith, Christopher E. “Trade and Exchange in Ancient Rome.” Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Ancient World, Facts On File, 2007. Ancient and Medieval History, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=17677&itemid=WE49&articleId=227216. Accessed 27 Feb.