Imperial Mines and Quarries in the Roman World (review)

Imperial Mines and Quarries in the Roman World is a revised version of Hirt's DPhil thesis, submitted to the University of Oxford in 2004. Hirt sets out to close some significant gaps in our understanding of the administration and organization of mines and quarries in imperial Rome. The task is daunting, as it strives to reveal the humans who directed the extraction and transport of metal and marble, their tasks, backgrounds, and hierarchies and to place them into the overall framework of imperial administration. The work deals, therefore, less with economics in the modern sense of the word but is rather a study of business administration in two specific branches of ancient Roman technology.

Hirt begins by giving a thorough overview of past research with its strengths and weaknesses and sets the stage for the main body. The ambitious goals of the study are: "(a) determining the elementary constraints and challenges faced by the quarrying/mining organization, (b) identifying the key figures in organizing extractive operations under imperial control, (c) allocating organizational tasks and responsibilities to these key figures, (d) evaluating their solutions for the main organizational challenges at hand, and (e) delimiting their position within a wider administrative framework" (9).

Hirt expertly summarizes differences in logistics and infrastructure between mines (open-pit and underground) and quarries and draws conclusions on consequent differences in the organization of each type of enterprise, which address their specific geological and topographical characteristics (Chapter 2). This part in particular will appeal to those interested in ancient technology, as it contains a systematic description of the different logistical requirements for efficient exploitation. Among other considerations, quarries had a higher need for transport infrastructure than mines, as large marble products were moved much less easily than, say, metal ingots, which, in turn, led to individual differences in organizational effort. Archaeological evidence from numerous sites all over the Empire supports the author's statements. The chapter is neatly subdivided by type of operation (i.e. quarry vs. mine; open pit vs. underground), and by geographic area. Thirteen maps illustrate the topographical situations of the sites.

The subsequent treatment of the territorial extent of "Mining and Quarrying Districts" and their character within the structure of Roman provincial administration (Chapter 3) is very comprehensive, examining areas as diverse as Roman Egypt, Noricum, the Balkans, Spain, Sardinia, and Britain. Hirt investigates the legal nature of mining and quarrying districts, which were, for the most part, state property, and ascertains a certain autonomy "comparable to colonies or municipalities" (106).

The variety of procuratorial titles that appear in documents associated with imperial mines and quarries allow a glimpse of the roles of imperial officials (Chapter 4). The evidence indicates that procurators of equestrian rank generally had control of larger operations and areas than imperial freedmen. Evidence for subaltern staff is generally too scanty to allow generalizations (165).

Hirt goes on to investigate the involvement of the "Roman Army and Imperial Extractive Operations" (Chapter 5). He concludes that the army was generally not involved in extractive operations proper, but military installations in proximity to mines and quarries indicate that the army provided a measure of protection. Evidence such as Pliny's famous correspondence with Trajan (10.41, 42, 61, 62) and the inscription of Nonius Datus show, moreover, that military personnel were at least occasionally placed under the command of provincial governors for their administrative or technical expertise (172-173).

The following chapter establishes links between "Imperial Officials and the Allocation of Responsibilities" and delves into the difficult nitty-gritty details of running and managing extractive operations, subdivided by mines and quarries, on a daily basis. Not surprisingly, the evidence in this area is very spotty, and, therefore, much of this chapter is based on conjecture and on comparison with other administrative branches (202). The internal organization of individual establishments could vary significantly due to local conditions and requirements (245). A list of names and careers of procuratores argentariarum, metallorum...