Commercial amphoras found in the Agora of Smyrna (1998-2006 excavations)

The Roman Empire has gone through economic and political unrest throughout its history. In 4th century, after dividing the Empire to stop the chaos, East Rome survived thanks to trade and its economy. There was the economic viability in 4th century AD. Amphora findings from the Agora of Smyrna should be considered in this context; 2nd - 3rd century when the Agora was rebuilt and 4th century when the economic rise throughout the Empire. In this study, the Hellenistic and Roman amphorae of Smyrna agora were catalogued and grouped by place of production thus statistical data could be acquired. It was seen that the Hellenistic amphorae are very few in numbers than the Roman amphorae in Smyrna agora. In Smyrna agora, it seems that amphorae were imported from all over the Mediterranean. Aegean region production amphorae are the biggest group. In the middle of 3rd / 4th century AD main production in Mediterranean has shifted from western to eastern centres. In the Agora of Smyrna Cilician and Eastern amphorae increase in numbers during the same period following this trend. It's clear that the economic condition in Rome has also influenced Smyrna. For example from 330 AD upwards, Egypt directed the annona to Konstantinopolis instead of Rome. Along with the wheat, African products also began to flood into the port cities along the route to Konstantinopolis. African produced amphorae also begin to increase in numbers during 4th – 5th century in Smyrna.