Skip to main content
  • Book
  • Open Access
  • © 2019

Finding the Limits of the Limes

Modelling Demography, Economy and Transport on the Edge of the Roman Empire

  • Features state-of-the-art computer models of Roman economy, demography and transport
  • Shows the added value of computer modelling for Roman frontier studies
  • Provides background on both modelling and the archaeological setting
  • Includes best practices for model sensitivity analysis and validation

Part of the book series: Computational Social Sciences (CSS)

Part of the book sub series: Simulating the Past (SIPA)

Buy it now

Buying options

Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvi
  2. Finding the Limits of the Limes: Setting the Scene

    • Philip Verhagen, Jamie Joyce, Mark R. Groenhuijzen
    Pages 1-19Open Access
  3. Transport and Movement

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 215-215
    2. Modelling of Pathways and Movement Networks in Archaeology: An Overview of Current Approaches

      • Philip Verhagen, Laure Nuninger, Mark R. Groenhuijzen
      Pages 217-249Open Access
    3. Footprints and Cartwheels on a Pixel Road: On the Applicability of GIS for the Modelling of Ancient (Roman) Routes

      • César Parcero-Oubiña, Alejandro Güimil-Fariña, João Fonte, José Manuel Costa-García
      Pages 291-311Open Access
    4. Rethinking Approaches for the Study of Urban Movement at Ostia

      • Katherine A. Crawford
      Pages 313-327Open Access
  4. Back Matter

    Pages 329-337

About this book

This open access book demonstrates the application of simulation modelling and network analysis techniques in the field of Roman studies. It summarizes and discusses the results of a 5-year research project carried out by the editors that aimed to apply spatial dynamical modelling to reconstruct and understand the socio-economic development of the Dutch part of the Roman frontier (limes) zone, in particular the agrarian economy and the related development of settlement patterns and transport networks in the area. The project papers are accompanied by invited chapters presenting case studies and reflections from other parts of the Roman Empire focusing on the themes of subsistence economy, demography, transport and mobility, and socio-economic networks in the Roman period.

The book shows the added value of state-of-the-art computer modelling techniques and bridges computational and conventional approaches. Topics that will be of particular interest to archaeologists are the question of (forced) surplus production, the demographic and economic effects of the Roman occupation on the local population, and the structuring of transport networks and settlement patterns. For modellers, issues of sensitivity analysis and validation of modelling results are specifically addressed. This book will appeal to students and researchers working in the computational humanities and social sciences, in particular, archaeology and ancient history.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Faculty of Humanities, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Philip Verhagen, Jamie Joyce, Mark R. Groenhuijzen

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access