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Asymmetric Trading Costs and Ancient Greek Cities

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  • Yuxian Chen
  • Yannis M. Ioannides
  • Ferdinand Rauch

Abstract

Asymmetric transport costs arise when shipping times from point i to point j differ from shipping from point j to i. We show that such asymmetric transport costs predict distinct patterns of location in a class of models using Dixit-Stiglitz preferences. We then study factors affecting the location of cities in ancient Hellas. Prevailing winds create an environment of asymmetric trade costs in ancient Greece. We show that predictions of these models are consistent with the location of ancient cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuxian Chen & Yannis M. Ioannides & Ferdinand Rauch, 2022. "Asymmetric Trading Costs and Ancient Greek Cities," Economics Series Working Papers 969, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:oxf:wpaper:969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maarten Bosker & Eltjo Buringh & Jan Luiten van Zanden, 2013. "From Baghdad to London: Unraveling Urban Development in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, 800–1800," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 95(4), pages 1418-1437, October.
    2. J Vernon Henderson & Tim Squires & Adam Storeygard & David Weil, 2018. "The Global Distribution of Economic Activity: Nature, History, and the Role of Trade1," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 133(1), pages 357-406.
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    Cited by:

    1. Conrad Copeland, 2026. "Riding the monsoon: Geography and Iron Age trade in the Indian Ocean," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 79(1), pages 312-341, February.

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