2012/09/01 by Jason Linn · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Historical and Religious Studies of Rome #Classical Antiquity Studies #Archaeology and Historical Studies #Roman Empire #Empire #Population #History #Ancient history #Late Antiquity #Geography #Demography #Sociology
paper · doi:10.1353/jla.2012.0015
openalex publication_date 2012/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The Vandal occupation of North Africa has been seen as the deathblow to the western empire because of the Vandals’ ensuing control over the Roman grain supply. This study, however, suggests that Rome did not suff er from frequent food crises between 442 and 455. Adducing Vandal taxation policy, numismatic evidence, archaeological land surveys, and precipitation data from modern Tunisia, it furthermore contends that the Vandals were in fact sending grain to Rome during this time, even if in lesser amounts than what North Africa had been shipping previously. It also postulates that the empire’s demand on grain had fallen substantially since the fourth century because of a shrinking Roman army and a reduction in the city of Rome’s population. Finally, it is suggested that after 442 the western empire still possessed sufficient grain producing lands to meet the needs of Rome’s urban population.