Labor and Production in the Byzantine World: The Role of Agriculture and Industry (eBook, ePUB)

"Labor and Production in the Byzantine World: The Role of Agriculture and Industry" by Ryan Evans provides an in-depth exploration of the economic foundations of the Byzantine Empire, focusing on the critical sectors of agriculture and industry. The book examines how agricultural practices, including the production of grain, olives, and wine, supported the empire‘s urban centers and military needs. It delves into the role of industry, from silk weaving to metalworking, highlighting the contributions of skilled artisans and laborers to the empire‘s economy. Drawing on primary sources, legal texts, and historical analysis, the author explores the complexities of Byzantine labor systems, including the roles of slaves, serfs, and free workers. Additionally, the book addresses how Byzantine fiscal policies, legal frameworks, and the guild system influenced production and trade. Through this analysis, the book illuminates how agriculture and industry, along with the labor that powered them, were foundational to Byzantine society‘s prosperity and resilience, while also shaping its social hierarchies.