The Archaeology of Public Policy in Late Roman Greece

Based on archaeological survey material as well as textual evidence, Cynthia Kosso studies the effects of Late Roman imperialism and colonialism in Achaia, Greece. She argues that socio-economic measures imposed on Achaia in Late Antiquity by the government at Constantinople were designed to encourage and protect' the small landholder and ensure a stable and dependable revenue. From studying evidence relating to the application of these policies, such as an increase in the number of rural settlements, greater investment in agriculture and an increase in legislation relating to land and taxes, Kosso shows how imperial policies were geared towards manking more efficient use of the land in the long term.