Peace and its correlates in the ancient world

41 Pages Posted: 12 Mar 2024 Last revised: 16 Apr 2024

See all articles by Jordan Adamson

Jordan Adamson

Leipzig University, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics

Patrick R. Fitzsimmons

George Mason University - Department of Economics

Date Written: February 13, 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we construct and analyze a database of warfare around the Mediterranean from 600 to 30 BCE. We first summarize the variation across space, time, and belligerents; documenting that battles are not a rare event. Then we examine two main explanations for international peace: democracy and hegemony, using both statistical analyses and case study comparisons. We find no democratic peace among Ancient Greek city-states. We also find mixed results, both inside and outside of Greece, about how war relates to state power. Broadly, our results challenge political theories of peace and suggest more exploration of alternative theories.

Keywords: Long run war, Democratic peace, Hegemonic power

Suggested Citation

Adamson, Jordan and Fitzsimmons, Patrick, Peace and its correlates in the ancient world (February 13, 2024). GMU Working Paper in Economics Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4724990 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4724990

Jordan Adamson (Contact Author)

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

Grimmaische Str. 12
Leipzig, 04109
Germany

Patrick Fitzsimmons

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

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