7.3 The Roman Economy: Trade, Taxes, and Conquest

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Identify key trade routes in the Roman Empire
• Explain how the Roman Empire used taxes to raise revenue and influence behavior
• Analyze the importance of conquest in the Roman economy

The Roman economy was a massive and intricate system. Goods produced in and exported from the region found their way around the Mediterranean, while luxury goods brought from distant locales were cherished in the empire. The sea and land routes that connected urban hubs were crucial to this exchange. The collection of taxes funded public works and government programs for the people, keeping the economic system functioning. The Roman army was an extension of the economic system; financing the military was an expensive endeavor, but the Romans saw it as a critical tool in dominating the Mediterranean.