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Document Details :

Title: Craftsmen Associations in Roman Lydia
Subtitle: A Tale of Two Cities?
Author(s): ARNAOUTOGLOU, Ilias
Journal: Ancient Society
Volume: 41    Date: 2011   
Pages: 257-290
DOI: 10.2143/AS.41.0.2129572

Abstract :
Through a detailed presentation and study of the epigraphic testimonia of craftsmen associations from Roman Lydia, and taking into account the methodological caveats, I have tried to demonstrate that the dilemma ‘professional’ or ‘social’ for these groups is a pseudo-dilemma. Craftsmen associations performed a variety of functions, including economic albeit to be understood in a different light. The variety of their functions depended largely on the wider socio-economic context in which they were operating. Craftsmen associations in the polis of Thyateira were called to operate in a competitive socio-political environment, while in Saittai similar associations seem to be limited to acts of solidarity among their members.

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