A Comparison of the Metallurgic Industries of the Carthaginian, Seleucid, and Han Dynasty Empires
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.4126Keywords:
Carthage, Seleucid Empire, Han Dynasty Empire, Metallurgy, ArchaeometryAbstract
This paper investigates the geologic and metallurgical landscape of the Carthaginian, Seleucid, and Han dynasty empires and how they benefited these civilizations through industry between the 6th and 1st century BCE. Specifically, this paper compares the unique access, refinement, and impacts of metallurgy of each civilization using the analysis of scientifically rigorous studies and articles. These products include, but are not limited to, coins, weapons, farming equipment, cooking vessels, jewelry, and other commodities. This research also aims to explore the potential impact of these ancient conditions onto the larger political-economic status of the world. All three empires relied on long-distance transport of ores and centralized refining sites. However, the Carthaginian and Han Dynasty empires both achieved heavily centralized control over the production of metal products for wealth and military infrastructure while the Seleucid empire only standardized coin minting and gained related administrative stability and access to inter-regional trade. Such lasting impacts are the preservation of regional trade systems by the Carthaginians and Seleucids and the lasting state relations with industry under the Han Dynasty.
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