The Ephesian Silversmiths (Argyrokopoi) and the Mining Economy in Roman Asia Minor in the Context of Professional Associations

Abstract

Although the role of mining in Anatolian cities during the Roman period relies largely on Strabo’s accounts, epigraphic documents provide quite detailed information about the mines and the economic groups they formed. Associations established by various craftsmen, particularly the argyrokopos (silversmith) and chalkeus (coppersmith), also demonstrate that craftsmen working in the mining industry acted collectively. Indeed, topos inscriptions identified in the public spaces of various cities such as Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Miletus, and Perge indicate that the precious metals obtained from these mines also conferred social status upon these groups within the social structure. In this study, topics such as the mines operated in Anatolia during the Roman period, as mentioned in ancient sources and epigraphic documents, particularly Ephesus, which offers a rich array of examples, the methods of renting and operating these mines, and the role of metalworkers in the economic and public structures of cities are examined through a comparative approach.

Keywords

• Mines
• Argyrokopos
• Khalkeus
• Ephesus
• Associations
• Topos Inscriptions

Ephesoslu Gümüşçüler (Argyrokopoi) ve Mesleki Dernekler Bağlamında Roma Anadolu’sunda Maden Ekonomisi

Abstract

Madenciliğin Roma Dönemi Anadolu kentlerindeki yeri, büyük oranda Strabon’un anlatılarına dayanıyor olsa da epigrafik belgeler, madenlerin ve bu madenlerin oluşturduğu ekonomik gruplar hakkında oldukça detaylı bilgiler sunmaktadır. Argyrokopos (gümüş ustası) ve khalkeus (bakır ustası) başta olmak üzere çeşitli zanaatkarların kurduğu dernekler de maden işleyen ustaların birlikte hareket ettiklerini göstermektedir. Öyle ki Ephesos, Aphrodisias, Miletos, Perge gibi çeşitli kentlerin kamusal mekanlarında tespit edilen topos yazıtları, madenlerden elde edilen değerli metallerin söz konusu gruplara toplumsal yapıda statüler de sağladığını göstermektedir. Bu çalışmada, oldukça zengin örnekler sunan Ephesos başta olmak üzere antik kaynaklarda ve epigrafik belgelerde geçen, Anadolu’da Roma egemenliği boyunca işletilen madenler, bu madenlerin kiralanma ve işletilme biçimleri, kentlerin ekonomik ve kamusal yapılarında maden ustalarının yeri gibi konular karşılaştırmalı bir yaklaşımla ele alınmaktadır.

Keywords

• Madenler
• Argyrokopos
• Khalkeus
• Ephesos
• Dernekler
• Topos Yazıtları

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