Transport Wine Amphorae and the Economic System in Southern Phoenicia during the Achaemenid Regime

This paper explores the economic system of the Achaemenid Empire in southern Phoenicia through the study of transport wine amphorae, as well as other ceramic vessels, to show that local trade was primarily conducted in an open, free economic system, with minimum intervention of the empire. Furthermore, structures previously unearthed along the coast and defined as fortresses used to monitor trade, are reconsidered in light of their plan, function and date. It was found that the Persian regime focused on taxation and periodic inspection, attesting that the imported Greek wine transported in amphorae flowed freely into the beakers and goblets of the population of southern Phoenicia.