Roman gentrification: from the sixth century BC to the death of Trajan

Author(s):
Graaf, P. de
Published
2022
Publication type
Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

In this study, gentrification concepts have been used as a heuristic device to analyse urban socio-economic changes in (pre-)Roman towns. After describing the most important gentrification theories, these concepts will be applied to the Roman towns on the Italian peninsula, using an explanatory model, which helped to filter the evidence and provided a special lens for looking at structures and changes in towns. The focus has been on the five main elements of Roman gentrification: (1) the presence of a sizeable group of affluent people, (2) a functioning property and rental market, (3) a shift in employment and diversification of professions, (4) a professionalisation of trades and crafts, (5) the locational preferences of the elite and their dependents and their investment in domestic and public architecture (urban renewal), public display and forms of entertainment. These five prerequisites determined the selection of textual and archaeological evidence that have been used in the case study in chapters.

Ancient urbanisation, ItalyHistorical demographySocio-economical changeRoman Republic, Roman EmpireCities and towns - Rome
Defense date
2022-10-19
Language
English
Supervisor(s)
Ligt, L. de; Bintliff, J.L.
Committee member(s)
Zangenberg, J.K.; Attema, P.A.J.; Vermeulen, F.; Jong, L. de
Qualification
Ph.D.
Degree granting institution
Leiden University Institute for History, Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Leiden
hdl
1887/3483641
ISBN(s)
9789464585155

Funding

Sponsorship
KNIR