THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

The article focuses on the Edict of Maximum Prices, issued by Emperor Diocletian in A.D. 301, which aimed to control rampant inflation in the Roman Empire by establishing price ceilings for approximately 1,400 goods and services. The edict was inscribed on the facade of the Civil Basilica in Aphrodisias, a significant city in southwestern Anatolia, where archaeologists have worked to reconstruct the fragmented text over several decades. This monumental inscription, the longest known Latin text on marble, reflects Diocletian's efforts to stabilize the economy and curb merchant greed, while also showcasing the city's grandeur and its role in the empire. The project has provided insights into ancient economic practices and the social dynamics of the time, revealing how the edict was intended to communicate imperial authority and economic regulation to the populace. [Extracted from the article]