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The Maritime Infrastructure and Network of the Delian Emporium

Delos underwent a rapid economic development after 167 BCE, when its Roman rulers granted the port of Delos ‘duty-free’ status under Athenian dominion and turned it into a commercial base connecting the eastern and western Mediterranean. The island became a free-trade commercial base under nominal Athenian supervision, but essentially under Roman rule. The result of this economic development was an unprecedented population increase and, by consequence, accelerated urbanization – changes attested by the formation of new neighborhoods and harbour facilities and the redevelopment of existing urban and harbour areas of the island. This presentation will discuss the island ¹ú²ú´«Ã½ ’s urban development, maritime infrastructure, and its commercial connections in order to shed light on this important key site in the history of Hellenistic Greece and the nascent Roman Empire.