Economy and society in the Hellenistic and Roman periods

The Programme focused on the study of economic and social phenomena as well as the new institutions and relations that emerged in the Mediterranean under the rule and influence of the Hellenistic kingdoms and subsequently of the Romans.

Its primary goal was to promote historical research on the ancient Greek world, especially in the fields of economy and functioning of markets, the social structure of Greek cities and Roman colonies, the organization of rural space, and civic religious life. Research was based on a wide range of sources (literary texts, inscriptions, coins, and archaeological finds) focusing on the southeastern Mediterranean and the Balkan peninsula, with particular emphasis on the Greek world during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Publications by members of the Programme included the edition of primary testimonia (inscriptions, coins, archaeological material), either as individual studies or as part of corpora (epigraphic and numismatic). They also produced prosopographical and onomastic studies, which serve as fundamental tools for further research, as well as synthetic historical works. In parallel, members of the Programme participated in archaeological projects and fieldwork, including both surveys and excavations.

Short History of the Programme

The Programme “Economy and Society in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods” evolved from the earlier “Southern Greece Programme” (1984–2010), whose aims and research interests were adapted over time to the endeavors and scholarly interests of its members. During this earlier phase, the Programme was directed by Athanasios Rizakis. From 2011 to 2012, coordination was undertaken by Anna Michailidou, Director of Research. From 2012 to 2024, the Programme was coordinated by Charikleia Papageorgiadou.

Past Members of the Programme

Current Researchers at the SGRA

Harikleia Papageorgiadou, Research Director, Former Programme Coordinator

Sophia Zoumbaki, Research Director

Lina Mendoni, Senior Researcher, Minister of Culture and Sports since 9/7/2019

Vyron Antoniadis, Senior Researcher

Christy Constantakopoulou, Senior Researcher

Emeritus Research Directors and former researchers

Anna Michailidou, Research Director Emeritus

Athanasios D. Rizakis, Research Director Emeritus

Franceso Camia (2007-2015), Associate Professor of Greek Epigraphy, Sapienza Università di Roma

Panagiotis Doukellis (1987-1991), Professor, Department of Sociology, School of Social Science, Panteion University Athens

Francesco Camia (2007-2015), Associate Professor of Greek Epigraphy, Sapienza Università di Roma

External Collaborators (under their earlier titles)

Xanthie Argyris, Maritime Archaeologist

Francesco Camia, Associate Professor of Greek Epigraphy, Sapienza Università di Roma

Carmelo Di Nicuolo, Adjunct Professor at the Department of History, Humanities and Society, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”

Michalis Karabinis, PhD in Archaeology

Eleni Kolaiti, PhD in Geoarchaeology

Elpida Kosmidou, PhD in Archaeology

Guillermo Pascual Berlanga, Postdoctoral researcher, Universidad de Cadiz

Vasilis Petrakis, PhD in Archaeology

Mantha Zarmakoupi, Assistant Professor of Roman Architecture, University of Pennsylvania