Environmental Change and Imperial Governance

This study offers a new perspective on the relationship between environmental variability, fluctuations in Nile flood patterns, and Roman administrative responses in Egypt during the Imperial and late Roman periods. By integrating newly reconstructed Nile flood data with papyrological and historical sources, it reassesses the extent to which hydrological crises influenced agricultural productivity, taxation policies, and socio-political stability. While previous scholarship has recognized the importance of Nile floods for Egypt’s economy, this study examines how the Roman state responded to prolonged periods of flood scarcity and excess, shedding new light on the adaptability of imperial governance in the face of environmental stress. A key focus are the second and third centuries CE, a period of profound administrative transformation and increasing challenges to Egypt’s agrarian economy. These findings encourage further investigation into how Rome navigated the intersection of climate variability, economic resilience, and state intervention in one of its most vital provinces.