Price Fluctuations in Achaemenid Babylonia: Temples and the Issue of Labor Force.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22103/jic.2025.24487.1388

Abstract

Babylon experienced significant price increases during the sixth and early fifth centuries BCE, particularly during the reign of Darius I. This price inflation, which began in the late Neo-Babylonian period and peaked during Darius I's reign, was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Multiple factors contributed to this price increase, including the increasing monetization of the economy, massive Achaemenid construction projects, and changes in the economic structure of Babylonian institutions. Given the importance of temples in Babylon's economy and their key role in providing labor and economic resources, these institutions appear to have played a significant role in price fluctuations during this period.

This research, through careful examination of Babylon's economic data from the period in question, comprehensive analysis of historical documents, and in-depth study of surviving archives from Achaemenid Babylon, seeks to answer the fundamental question of whether Babylon's integration into the Achaemenid Empire and the active role of important Babylonian historical institutions such as temples in providing manpower for Achaemenid royal projects could have exacerbated the supply and demand problem in the short term and led to price increases. This issue is particularly important as a proper understanding of the factors affecting price fluctuations during this period can contribute to a better understanding of Babylon's economic and social structure during the Achaemenid period. The results of this research indicate that the significant reduction in temple workforce due to their absorption into Achaemenid construction projects, the substantial increase in wages and public expenses, and fundamental changes in Babylon's management system,

Keywords

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Iranian Civilization Research
Volume 6, Issue 2 - Serial Number 12
December 2024
Pages 140-162

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