METAL MINING IN ROMAN DALMATIA

Sa？etak The mining of metal ores was an important industry in the ancient world because it provided valuable resources: precious metals for coins and non-precious metals for tools and weapons. The Roman province of Dalmatia possessed significant deposits of gold, silver and iron. This article combines evidence from archaeology, coins, inscriptions and literature to assess the nature of the management, organisation and significance of this industry in Dalmatia during the Roman period with an eye especially to the involvement of the Roman state. It also considers the greater economic impact of the mines in terms of employment and provision of supplies