NEGOTIATOR ALLECARIUS: NOTES ON A VERY RARE OCCUPATIONAL TITLE

Abstract

The current investigation focuses on the rare epigraphic attestations of negotiatorii allecarii. Trying to distinguish why this occupational title is attested only in the context of Germania Inferior, we analyze the etymology of the word and its evolution into late antique and medieval Latin, the specificities of the allec trade, and the merchants’ attestations within the context of the region’s and the province’s occupational epigraphy. The conclusions lead to placing the rare attestations of this trading specialization at the intersection of local consumption and epigraphic habits alike.

Keywords

• allec, ganuenta, trading routes, consumption habits