Roman Transport Network Connectivity and Economic Integration

73 Pages Posted: 25 Jul 2019

See all articles by Matthias Flueckiger

Matthias Flueckiger

Queen's University Belfast - Queen's Management School

Erik Hornung

University of Cologne - Center for Macroeconomic Research (CMR); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Mario Larch

University of Bayreuth - Faculty of Law, Business and Economics; University of Bayreuth; CESifo; Ifo Institute for Economic Research; GEP at the University of Nottingham; Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Info. Internationales (CEPII)

Markus Ludwig

University of Bayreuth

Allard Mees

Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: 2019

Abstract

We show that the creation of the first integrated pan-European transport network during Roman times influences economic integration over two millennia. Drawing on spatially highly disaggregated data on excavated Roman ceramics, we document that interregional trade was strongly influenced by connectivity within the network. Today, these connectivity differentials continue to influence cross-regional firm investment behaviour. Continuity is largely explained by selective infrastructure routing and cultural integration due to bilateral convergence in preferences and values. Both plausibly arise from network-induced history of repeated socio-economic interaction. We show that our results are Roman-connectivity specific and do not reflect pre-existing patterns of exchange.

Keywords: economic integration, Roman trade, transport network connectivity, business links, cultural similarity

JEL Classification: F140, F150, F210, N730, R120, R400, O180

Suggested Citation

Flueckiger, Matthias and Hornung, Erik and Larch, Mario and Ludwig, Markus and Mees, Allard, Roman Transport Network Connectivity and Economic Integration (2019). CESifo Working Paper No. 7740, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3424723 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3424723

Matthias Flueckiger (Contact Author)

Queen's University Belfast - Queen's Management School ( email )

Riddel Hall
185 Stranmillis Road
Belfast, BT9 5EE
United Kingdom

Erik Hornung

University of Cologne - Center for Macroeconomic Research (CMR) ( email )

Cologne
Germany

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute) ( email )

Munich
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Mario Larch

University of Bayreuth - Faculty of Law, Business and Economics ( email )

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Bayreuth, 95447
Germany
0049 / (0) 921 - 55 6240 (Phone)

University of Bayreuth ( email )

Universitatsstr 30
Bayreuth, D-95447
Germany

CESifo ( email )

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Ifo Institute for Economic Research ( email )

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GEP at the University of Nottingham ( email )

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Centre d'Etudes Prospectives et d'Info. Internationales (CEPII) ( email )

9 rue Georges Pitard
Paris Cedex 15, F-75015
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Markus Ludwig

University of Bayreuth ( email )

Universitatsstr 30
Bayreuth, D-95447
Germany

Allard Mees

Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum ( email )

Ernst-Ludwig-Platz 2
Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz 55270
Germany
+49 61319124-0 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.rgzm.de

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