The ports of Roman Lycia

Settlement, environment, and climate change in SW Anatolia: Dynamics of regional variation and the end of Antiquity

“…Lycian harbors became important nodes in regional grain markets and saw significant infrastructure upgrades. For example, granaries were built at Andriake and Patara, with a lighthouse at the latter [ 94 ]. Tax collection from cities was standardized across Roman territory and the state now profited from the rich resources of Lycia-Pamphylia, including traditional agricultural produce but also sponges, goat hair for ropes, wild animals for the circus, fish processed as garum, and, most importantly, timber [ 87 , 88 ].…”

“…Roman hegemony also brought newfound security from unrest and a regional threat of banditry and looters [ 88 ], and might be reflected by a reduction in both urban fortifications and tower-farmsteads, as noted earlier [ 97 , 98 ]. All the above factors increased the importance of Lycia-Pamphylia for trade and enabled intensification of settlement and agriculture in the hinterlands [ 94 , 99 ]. These developments occurred despite prevailing climatic conditions that likely made agriculture more challenging when compared to the preceding and succeeding periods.…”