Trees and Timber in the Ancient Mediterranean World

by Russell Meiggs

This is the first comprehensive study of timber supply and demand in the Near East and the world of ancient Greece and Rome. Drawing from a wide range of literary, epigraphic, and archaeological sources, Meiggs traces changing patterns in their historical setting, and examines the timber requirements of fleets and armies, building, agriculture, and sculpture and furniture. He also draws a tentative outline of the structure of the timber trade, with special emphasis on transport, and determines that the part played by Greece and Rome in deforestation has been greatly exaggerated.

Genres: Nonfiction

572 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great info scattered throughout. The book is not successfully organized, proceeding chronologically at points, geographically at others, and by object type at still other times, but did leave me with a much better understanding of what woods were used where when.