This is a collection of essays in the social and economic history of Greece and Rome by a leading historian of classical antiquity. They are grouped in three overlapping sections, covering the economy and society of cities; peasants and the rural economy; and food supply and famine. The essays, all previously published, are presented together with bibliographical addenda by Walter Scheidel that summarize and assess scholarly reaction to the author's work. The range of subject matter and approach is wide and the treatment original and provocative.
Professor Peter Garnsey is Emeritus Professor of the History of Classical Antiquity and a Fellow of Jesus College. His research interests include: history of Political Theory and Intellectual history; social and economic history; food, famine and nutrition; and physical anthropology.