The Process of Monetisation in the Roman Economy and the Rise of Bankers

Absztrakt

This study examines the monetisation of the Roman economy and the concurrent rise of private banking institutions between the 3rd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. The increasing circulation of coinage enabled the development of complex financial practices and institutions, including the emergence of private bankers. Drawing on legal texts, archaeological evidence, and ancient literary sources, the paper details the multifaceted roles bankers played—not only as moneylenders, but also as intermediaries in trade, credit facilitators, and key actors in maritime finance. It highlights the economic impact of banking networks in major port cities like Puteoli and Ostia, while acknowledging their limited scale compared to elite financiers. Despite the social stigma associated with usury, bankers were vital to the functioning of Rome’s commercial and fiscal systems.