Trade and the Rise of Ancient Greek City-States

57 Pages Posted: 28 Oct 2021 Last revised: 15 Feb 2024

See all articles by Jordan Adamson

Jordan Adamson

Leipzig University, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics

Date Written: September 4, 2021

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the role of comparative advantage in the rise of city-states. After compiling a new dataset on ancient Greece and the natural environment, I provide evidence that the spatial diversity of natural vegetation endowments amongst potential trading partners is important for explaining the development of coined money, battle entry, and city-state formation. I also provide statistical evidence against previously emphasized ``key factors''. These findings are consistent with a unified model of comparative advantage that I develop, which clarifies how the spatial diversity of factor endowments affects multiple development outcomes.

Keywords: ancient Greek city-states, city-state formation, potential crop diversity, spatial-covariance

JEL Classification: N94, F11, F51

Suggested Citation

Adamson, Jordan, Trade and the Rise of Ancient Greek City-States (September 4, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3917397 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3917397

Jordan Adamson (Contact Author)

Leipzig University, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics ( email )

Grimmaische Str. 12
Leipzig, 04109
Germany

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