Publications

This comparative study uses three case studies (Roman Boğazköy, Antioch on the Orontes, and Maputo) to examine how the critical water supply has been regulated in the political context of weak statehood at different times in human history (antiquity and modern era) and different special contexts. For valid results, we approach the question from three different disciplines with their respective methodologies: Archaeology, Ancient History, and Human Geography. At the core of our attention are the involved actors and their constellation in providing and maintaining the water supply. Our findings show that despite the different contexts, very similar solutions have been found, characterized by limited state-level intervention and a high degree of local self-governance.

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“Object of regulation” means a community problem that is either regulated by the central power or by a local actor. This paper provides a concise introduction to a particular conflict prone and relative subcategory, the so-called “critical” objects of regulation. The attribute “critical” refers to the quality of the consequences that the dysfunctionality of the regulatory system of the object of regulation may entail. After a brief introduction of the concept, two examples each taken from the regulatory areas of “material foundations” (food supply; water supply) and “socio-cultural foundations” (chariot races; episcopacy) will be identified with reference to the characteristics formulated at the beginning, by using the example of the ancient metropolis of Antioch on the Orontes. Two points of references in particular are suitable for identifying critical subjects of regulation:
1) Local conflicts, which can manifest themselves in public expressions of discontent, outbreaks of violence or restorative interventions by the central power;
2) Euergetic actions aimed at generating social capital are concentrated on particularly important or popular regulatory issues.
The outlook contains a résumé and refers to trans-epochal and trans-disciplinary transfer possibilities.

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