232 CHAvDAR TzOCHEv
over a long period, providing a standardized form of information for nearly
two and a half centuries.^1
Viewed in this way, the evidence of Thasian amphoras appears to be a
godsend. Despite its enormous potential to shed light on the economy of
ancient Greece, however, there have been few attempts to interpret this
evidence. The two French scholars, Yvon Garlan and Michel Debidour,
who have provided most of our information about the Thasian stamps,
have exercised great restraint in their discussion of the possible implica-
tions for the Thasian wine trade. There were two main reasons for their
decision: first, they were both keenly aware of the methodological issues
posed by the amphora evidence; and, second, they were convinced that
market-based methods of analysis should not be applied to the ancient
economy (e.g., Garlan 2001: 187; Debidour 2008 : 107). Scholars working in
the Black Sea area have studied Thasian imports in particular cities (Avram
and Poenaru-Bordea 1988 ; Avram 1996 ; Lazarov 1999 ), but none of them
looked at the big picture of the Thasian amphora trade – something that has
only recently become possible.^2What Markets?
Can we speak of a market for Thasian amphoras? Michel Debidour has recently
posed this question (‘Peut-on parler d’un marché des amphores Thasiennes?’)
and offered a negative answer, for which he gave two reasons: the gaps in the
archaeological record, which make it hard to interpret, and the anachronism
of the concept of market in regards to the ancient amphora trade (Debidour
2008 : esp. 107). This opinion begs the question of the already common, but
somewhat unsettled use of the term ‘market,’ not only in amphora-related
studies, but also in studies of ancient trade in general.^3 Normally, the term is
used without definition, relying on the context and the common sense of the
reader, which in most cases is sufficient. However, when addressing the cor-
rectness of this use, definitions are indispensable. In this sense, it will be more
appropriate to modify Debidour’s question to ‘How can we speak of a market
for Thasian amphoras?’
Undoubtedly, among the various meanings of ‘market’ certain examples
would be anachronisms if applied to classical antiquity. It would be foolish
to speak of a virtual commodity market for trade in futures contracts of wine
amphoras. But many other meanings of the term are relevant. Leaving aside the
various types of traditional marketplaces – urban or rural, permanent or per-
iodic, wholesale or retail – the physical aspects and organization of the places
of trade are intriguing enough, although apparently not meant in this context,
and beyond the scope of the present contribution. Besides, there are several
aspects of the term, used in modern economics, which are also applicable to