
Contents
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Seven Claims Seven Claims
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All Romanists Model their Theories, but Mostly in an Implicit Fashion All Romanists Model their Theories, but Mostly in an Implicit Fashion
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Explicit Formal Modelling Explicit Formal Modelling
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What is Simulation? What is Simulation?
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Types of Simulation Types of Simulation
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Complexity Economics Complexity Economics
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The Roman Economy as a Complex System The Roman Economy as a Complex System
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Simplification and Gradual Complication Simplification and Gradual Complication
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What has Simulation Ever Done for Us? What has Simulation Ever Done for Us?
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Explanation Explanation
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Prediction Prediction
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Guide Data Collection Guide Data Collection
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Illuminate Core Dynamics Illuminate Core Dynamics
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Suggest Analogies Suggest Analogies
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Raise New Questions Raise New Questions
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Specify Abstract Theories with Plausible Ranges Specify Abstract Theories with Plausible Ranges
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Promote Falsification and Accountability Promote Falsification and Accountability
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Constructively Enriching Studies of the Roman Economy Constructively Enriching Studies of the Roman Economy
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Roman Economies with A Capital S Roman Economies with A Capital S
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A Road Map for Integrating Simulation Studies A Road Map for Integrating Simulation Studies
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The Contribution of This Volume: Theories, Methods, and Computational Models The Contribution of This Volume: Theories, Methods, and Computational Models
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Acknowledgements Acknowledgements
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References References
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Cite
Abstract
This introductory chapter explores the question of why a book on the topic of simulating Roman economies is needed at all. It aims to provide the common ground that simulation studies of the Roman economy need in order to contribute constructively to our understanding of this complex past phenomenon. It does this by describing and supporting seven claims, illustrated by using the chapters of this book as examples. Claim 1: formal modelling and computational simulation are necessary techniques for explicitly representing (aspects of) our complicated theories, and for testing them against historical and archaeological evidence. Claim 2: complex systems simulation is the only suitable approach for identifying emergent properties in complex systems. Claim 3: the Roman economy was a highly complex system. Theories describing this system are necessarily extremely complicated. Claim 4: building complicated models is a step-by-step cumulative process, where simplification is key. Claim 5: simulation should be integrated as one of our tools of the trade. This is an addition to and enrichment of current practice; it is not in conflict with current practice. Claim 6: there are many different and competing views on the nature of the Roman economy. Simulation studies will enhance constructive multivocality of these theoretical debates. Claim 7: good simulation studies of the Roman economy necessarily rely on collaboration across specialisms (where simulation is a specialism in the same way as ceramology or osteology). Encouraging this means integrating the basics of simulation approaches into education in classical studies.
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