Hello everyone!
I’m currently engaged in research for a freelance RPG project, and am on the lookout for comprehensive information regarding Roman goods and their associated costs—if such a dataset is even available. I’m particularly interested in academic sources suitable for citation in dissertations or scholarly articles. While I’ve already gathered substantial knowledge about the currencies used during this era, as well as military salaries, my focus now lies on acquiring specifics about prices for staple items such as grain, wine, meat, weapons, and animals.
Any insights into where I might find reliable information would be greatly appreciated.
As someone well-versed in Roman coinage and the economic framework that existed during that time, I have yet to encounter an authentic price list from the period in question. There are isolated references to prices within various accounts from the first few centuries AD; however, assembling a coherent price list from these sources would undoubtedly be speculative. In fact, there remains insufficient documentation about the Roman economy, leading to differing interpretations about whether it displayed characteristics of a market economy.
A potential resource could be Diocletian’s Edict on Maximum Prices, although it presents some challenges. This document is dated nearly three centuries after the period I’m interested in, and it reflects prices set by an authoritative figure rather than the actual market value. Nevertheless, it contains relative prices and could serve as a foundational reference, which one might then adjust according to the pay scale of Roman soldiers or other variables.
For further insights, I intend to examine some additional literature that I own, which covers Roman commerce and economics; it’s been a while since I perused through them. A fruitful avenue might involve exploring studies particularly linked to Pompeii, where some pricing evidence has been documented. For instance, graffiti from that site includes references to the costs associated with goods and services, although it’s important to note that these prices denote a tourist town preserved well over sixty years after the desired time frame.
Another possibility for gathering substantial economic data may be found in the realm of ancient coinage discussions, such as inquiries posted on forums dedicated to Roman coins and economics. These specialized communities could provide illuminating information beyond what mainstream sources might offer.
In terms of accessible materials, “GURPS Imperial Rome” could hold some relevant insights. If a copy is available, the supplement “And A Ten Foot Pole” encompasses a wide range of information.
While GURPS books can’t be formally cited as academic references, they typically base their information on credible research, making the price tables a potentially helpful resource, albeit secondary. Upon exploring the bibliography of “GURPS: Imperial Rome,” I found the primary sources do hold relevance but lack explicit pricing details. However, secondary sources within that bibliography may reference tangible examples of pricing, though expectations should be tempered.
Additionally, delving into the studies of papyrus documents from Roman Egypt might yield interesting findings; historians have utilized these documents to analyze economic inflation, although they come with substantial caveats. The pricing data must be carefully contextualized since the economic situation in Egypt may not reflect the overall Roman experience. Differences in currency values complicate matters further.
It’s also worth mentioning that the complexities of Roman coinage and local economies could be more intricate than what one might expect for a freelance RPG undertaking. Each region within the empire had its own currency, which interacted in varying degrees with the denarius and other standard forms of currency.
In summary, any assistance in locating solid academic resources regarding Roman goods and their pricing would be immensely appreciated.
