- Università di Bologna
Dipartimento di Storia Culture Civiltà
Piazza S. Giovanni in Monte, 2
Bologna
Italy
Annalisa Marzano
Università di Bologna, Storia culture civiltà (DiSCi), Faculty Member
- Columbia University, Classics, AlumnusISAW New York, Visiting Research Scholar, Alumnus, and 4 moreadd
- Rural Settlement, Roman Settlement, Archaeology, Roman Villae, Topography of Ancient Rome (Archaeology), Food in antiquity, and 14 moreRoman Religion, Roman History, Ancient economies (Archaeology), Ancient History, Roman engineering, Classics, Roman fishing and fish processing, Roman Art, Ancient Technology (Archaeology), Roman Economy, Ancient Roman economy, trade and commerce, Roman Archaeology, Ancient Fishing, and Diet in Roman worldedit
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The book investigates the cultural and political dimension of Roman arboriculture and the associated movement of plants from one corner of the empire to the other. It uses the convergent perspectives offered by textual and archaeological... more
The book investigates the cultural and political dimension of Roman arboriculture and the associated movement of plants from one corner of the empire to the other. It uses the convergent perspectives offered by textual and archaeological sources to sketch a picture of large-scale arboriculture as a phenomenon primarily driven by elite activity and imperialism. Arboriculture had a clear cultural role in the Roman world: it was used to construct the public persona of many elite Romans, with the introduction of new plants from far away regions or the development of new cultivars contributing to the elite competitive display. Exotic plants from conquered regions were also displayed as trophies in military triumphs, making plants an element of the language of imperialism. It argues that the Augustan era was a key moment for the development of arboriculture and identifies colonists and soldiers as important agents contributing to plant dispersal and diversity
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Italian revised and updated edition of the OUP monograph published in 2013. La ricerca che qui si presenta offre il primo studio sistematico sullo sfruttamento di varie risorse marine nel Mediterraneo romano; il quadro d’insieme che ne... more
Italian revised and updated edition of the OUP monograph published in 2013.
La ricerca che qui si presenta offre il primo studio sistematico sullo sfruttamento di varie risorse marine nel Mediterraneo romano; il quadro d’insieme che ne risulta mette in evidenza l’importanza sociale ed economica rivestita da attività come la pesca su larga scala, le salagioni di pesce, l’acquacoltura o la produzione di sale e tintura di porpora. Gli obiettivi dell’opera sono due: offrire uno studio generale delle varie attività produttive incentrate sul mare nel periodo romano e analizzare il loro ruolo nelle economie regionali insieme alla struttura organizzativa e sociale. Grazie all’approccio interdisciplinare, che combina fonti letterarie, epigrafiche, giuridiche, archeologiche ed etnografiche, questo studio mostra che lo sfruttamento di varie risorse marine era un importante elemento dell’economia romana, da considerarsi, per scopo e produzione finalizzata al mercato, alla stessa stregua delle attività economiche basate sullo sfruttamento della terra. Il libro si sofferma anche sull’importanza delle innovazioni tecnologiche e l’organizzazione del lavoro e manodopera, affiancando alle fonti antiche dati e fonti etnografiche per valutare la produttività delle antiche tecniche di pesca e allevamento. Lo studio affronta l’importante questione dello status giuridico del mare e se lo stato romano potesse, in circostanze particolari, imporre monopoli sui diritti di pesca in mare. Un attento esame delle fonti mostra, inoltre, come il quadro di riferimento giuridico esistente nel periodo imperiale potesse essere manipolato o ignorato nel tentativo di controllare risorse naturali a fini di sfruttamento economico.
La ricerca che qui si presenta offre il primo studio sistematico sullo sfruttamento di varie risorse marine nel Mediterraneo romano; il quadro d’insieme che ne risulta mette in evidenza l’importanza sociale ed economica rivestita da attività come la pesca su larga scala, le salagioni di pesce, l’acquacoltura o la produzione di sale e tintura di porpora. Gli obiettivi dell’opera sono due: offrire uno studio generale delle varie attività produttive incentrate sul mare nel periodo romano e analizzare il loro ruolo nelle economie regionali insieme alla struttura organizzativa e sociale. Grazie all’approccio interdisciplinare, che combina fonti letterarie, epigrafiche, giuridiche, archeologiche ed etnografiche, questo studio mostra che lo sfruttamento di varie risorse marine era un importante elemento dell’economia romana, da considerarsi, per scopo e produzione finalizzata al mercato, alla stessa stregua delle attività economiche basate sullo sfruttamento della terra. Il libro si sofferma anche sull’importanza delle innovazioni tecnologiche e l’organizzazione del lavoro e manodopera, affiancando alle fonti antiche dati e fonti etnografiche per valutare la produttività delle antiche tecniche di pesca e allevamento. Lo studio affronta l’importante questione dello status giuridico del mare e se lo stato romano potesse, in circostanze particolari, imporre monopoli sui diritti di pesca in mare. Un attento esame delle fonti mostra, inoltre, come il quadro di riferimento giuridico esistente nel periodo imperiale potesse essere manipolato o ignorato nel tentativo di controllare risorse naturali a fini di sfruttamento economico.
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This volume offers a comprehensive survey of Roman villas in Italy and the Mediterranean provinces of the Roman Empire, from their origins to the collapse of the Empire. The architecture of villas could be humble or grand, and sometimes... more
This volume offers a comprehensive survey of Roman villas in Italy and the Mediterranean provinces of the Roman Empire, from their origins to the collapse of the Empire. The architecture of villas could be humble or grand, and sometimes luxurious. Villas were most often farms where wine, olive oil, cereals, and manufactured goods, among other products, were produced. They were also venues for hospitality, conversation, and thinking on pagan, and ultimately Christian, themes. Villas spread as the Empire grew. Like towns and cities, they became the means of power and assimilation, just as infrastructure, such as aqueducts and bridges, was transforming the Mediterranean into a Roman sea. The distinctive Roman/Italian villa type was transferred to the provinces, resulting in Mediterranean-wide culture of rural dwelling and work that further unified the Empire.
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"Harvesting the Sea provides the first systematic treatment of the exploitation of various marine resources, such as large-scale fishing, fish salting, salt and purple-dye production, and oyster and fish-farming, in the Roman world and... more
"Harvesting the Sea provides the first systematic treatment of the exploitation of various marine resources, such as large-scale fishing, fish salting, salt and purple-dye production, and oyster and fish-farming, in the Roman world and its role within the ancient economy.
Bringing together literary, epigraphic, and legal sources, with a wealth of archaeological data collected in recent years, this study shows that these marine resources were an important feature of the Roman economy and, in scope and market-oriented production, paralleled phenomena taking place in the Roman agricultural economy on land. The book also examines the importance of technological innovations, the organization of labour, and the use of the existing legal framework in defence of economic interests against competitors for the same natural resource."
Bringing together literary, epigraphic, and legal sources, with a wealth of archaeological data collected in recent years, this study shows that these marine resources were an important feature of the Roman economy and, in scope and market-oriented production, paralleled phenomena taking place in the Roman agricultural economy on land. The book also examines the importance of technological innovations, the organization of labour, and the use of the existing legal framework in defence of economic interests against competitors for the same natural resource."
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This volume investigates the socio-economic role of elite villas in Roman Central Italy drawing on both documentary sources and material evidence. Through the composite picture emerging from the juxtaposition of literary texts and... more
This volume investigates the socio-economic role of elite villas in Roman Central Italy drawing on both documentary sources and material evidence. Through the composite picture emerging from the juxtaposition of literary texts and archaeological evidence, the book traces elite ideological attitudes and economic behavior, caught between what was morally acceptable and the desire to invest capital intelligently. The analysis of the biases affecting the application of modern historiographical models to the interpretation of the archaeology frames the discussion on the identification of slave quarters in villas and the putative second century crisis of the Italian economy. The book brings an innovative perspective to the debate on the villa-system and the decline of villas in the imperial period.
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In the Roman world, marine, lagoonal, and riverine fisheries were regularly exploited. Unlike modern times, the concept of territorial waters did not exist in antiquity, and the state did not impose any monopoly on the sea and its... more
In the Roman world, marine, lagoonal, and riverine fisheries were regularly exploited.
Unlike modern times, the concept of territorial waters did not exist in antiquity, and the state did not impose any monopoly on the sea and its exploitation rights. However, internal bodies of water such as lagoons could be owned by the state or by individuals. This legal framework co-existed alongside informal rights, which impacted the access individuals could
have to the sea and its resources. The article discusses the issue of access to fisheries. It first examines the difference in Roman law between the sea and internal waters and why past scholars thought that in some cases the Roman state could control marine fishing rights. It then addresses the special case of lagoons and the disputes arising from the control of these fisheries before examining the organization and financing of fishing activity.
Unlike modern times, the concept of territorial waters did not exist in antiquity, and the state did not impose any monopoly on the sea and its exploitation rights. However, internal bodies of water such as lagoons could be owned by the state or by individuals. This legal framework co-existed alongside informal rights, which impacted the access individuals could
have to the sea and its resources. The article discusses the issue of access to fisheries. It first examines the difference in Roman law between the sea and internal waters and why past scholars thought that in some cases the Roman state could control marine fishing rights. It then addresses the special case of lagoons and the disputes arising from the control of these fisheries before examining the organization and financing of fishing activity.
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The Roman economy was preindustrial, and most of the population was engaged in agricultural production. Agriculture and household production were salient features of the economy, along with urbanization, taxation, market exchanges, and... more
The Roman economy was preindustrial, and most of the population was engaged in agricultural production. Agriculture and household production were salient features of the economy, along with urbanization, taxation, market exchanges, and slavery. Roman economic history is usually divided into three major chronological periods: the Republic (509 BCE–31 BCE), the principate (31 BCE–c. 284 CE), and the late empire (late 3rd–6th centuries CE). The Republican period was characterized by significant territorial expansion and the acquisition of vast amounts of wealth in the form of booty. The principate is when one can consider economic developments in Roman Italy and the provinces and investigate the empire as an economic system. The late empire was marked by increasing state interventionism.
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The article discusses a passage in book 15 of Pliny's Natural history which lists Livia among the creators of new fruit cultivar. It argues that Livia's unique position within and outside her family explains why she appears to be the only... more
The article discusses a passage in book 15 of Pliny's Natural history which lists Livia among the creators of new fruit cultivar. It argues that Livia's unique position within and outside her family explains why she appears to be the only woman remembered for her direct involvement in arboriculture. The article then discusses grafting, which in ancient Rome was charged with many symbolic meanings, and contextualises the appearance of Livia in horticultural discourse within the ideology of the Augustan era and the increased interest in horticultural matters at that time.
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The different perspectives brought by disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history have emphasized different aspects and characteristics as essential components of what makes “capitalism.” This variety of definitions has, in... more
The different perspectives brought by disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history have emphasized different aspects and characteristics as essential components of what makes “capitalism.” This variety of definitions has, in turn, raised the question of whether “capitalism” can be identified in past historical periods, including classical antiquity. This essay will be largely informed by the archaeological evidence from the Roman world and will explore two key components of capitalism: accumulation of capital and production.
The aim of the paper is to discuss the motivations behind the desire to accumulate wealth in the Roman early imperial period as revealed by archaeological examples. By focusing on case-studies, the paper will investigate the mechanisms behind the accumulation of capital in connection to the development of viticulture in Gaul and in Hispania Tarraconensis in the early imperial period; the growth in investment related to large-scale fishing and processing of fish products; and the intensification and growth of horticulture and arboriculture attested for the early first century ad. The key questions the essay will investigate concern who was able to accumulate capital in the Roman world and if, and to what degree, social mobility impacted on capital accumulation; and whether capital accumulation allowed for investment in innovation and improvements in production or was largely used for conspicuous consumption, which characterized the highly competitive behavior of the Roman elite.
The aim of the paper is to discuss the motivations behind the desire to accumulate wealth in the Roman early imperial period as revealed by archaeological examples. By focusing on case-studies, the paper will investigate the mechanisms behind the accumulation of capital in connection to the development of viticulture in Gaul and in Hispania Tarraconensis in the early imperial period; the growth in investment related to large-scale fishing and processing of fish products; and the intensification and growth of horticulture and arboriculture attested for the early first century ad. The key questions the essay will investigate concern who was able to accumulate capital in the Roman world and if, and to what degree, social mobility impacted on capital accumulation; and whether capital accumulation allowed for investment in innovation and improvements in production or was largely used for conspicuous consumption, which characterized the highly competitive behavior of the Roman elite.
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This article summarizes the first two seasons of archaeological fieldwork (June-July 2018, June-July 2019) in the garden of the large Pompeian house known as the Casa della Regina Carolina (VIII 3.14). Casa della Regina Carolina (CRC)... more
This article summarizes the first two seasons of archaeological fieldwork (June-July 2018, June-July 2019) in the garden of the large Pompeian house known as the Casa della Regina Carolina (VIII 3.14). Casa della Regina Carolina (CRC) Project investigates relationships between domestic material culture, social performance, and historical change. This study brings a wide range of contemporary recording methods, stratigraphic excavation, and scientific analyses to an elite Pompeian dwelling that was originally uncovered, with minimal recording, in the 19th century.
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This article focuses on the issue of the number of people Caesar feasted in the triumphal banquet dating from 46 BC, in the light of a recent epigraphic discovery from Pompeii; this text opens the serious possibility that the number of... more
This article focuses on the issue of the number of people Caesar feasted in the triumphal banquet dating from 46 BC, in the light of a recent epigraphic discovery from Pompeii; this text opens the serious possibility that the number of individuals accommodated on one triclinium set at public banquets, including Caesar’s, might have been higher than the traditional nine.
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Headline: Traces the relationship between legal, economic and social change in the Roman world Blurb: Bringing together archaeologists, economic historians, and legal historians, this book provides new perspectives on long-distance trade... more
Headline: Traces the relationship between legal, economic and social change in the Roman world Blurb: Bringing together archaeologists, economic historians, and legal historians, this book provides new perspectives on long-distance trade in the Roman world. Recent archaeological work has shown that maritime trade across the Mediterranean intensified greatly at the same time as the Roman state was extending its power overseas. Although certain aspects of this development have been well-studied, its relationship with changes in the legal and institutional apparatus that supported (or, indeed, hindered) maritime commerce has not been satisfactorily integrated into the wider historical narrative. This book analyses the institutions that may have fostered overseas trade, and in doing so presents a better understanding of the role played by legal and social institutions in the economy of the Roman world. Chapters cover: Roman maritime trade, the historical development of Roman 'merchant law', the relationship between ports and shipping, the transport process, the conduct of Roman maritime trade from a socio-legal perspective, Roman attitudes to the threat of piracy and the exploitation of marine resources by private individuals and Roman private law. Key Features: • Brings together specialists in ancient history, economic history, archaeology and Roman law • Includes contributions from • Employs a robust and innovative methodology drawing on maritime archaeological remains and textual, epigraphic and papyrological sources • Represents an important intervention into debates about the relationship between institutional change and Roman economic development
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'Food, Popinae, and the Emperor: Some Considerations on the Early-Imperial Policies on the Sale of Food’. in G.A. Cecconi, R. Lizzi Testa, A. Marcone (eds), The Past as Present. Essays on Roman History in Honour of Guido Clemente. (Studi e Testi tardoantichi 17). Turnhout: Brepols, 2019, 435-458.more
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This article focuses on two aspects related to fish and fishing. It first discusses the social context for the consumption of preserved and fresh fish, showing that generally consumption of certain types of fresh fish conferred status,... more
This article focuses on two aspects related to fish and fishing. It first discusses the social context for the consumption of preserved and fresh fish, showing that generally consumption of certain types of fresh fish conferred status, whereas consumption of preserved fish, being more affordable, was attested across social strata. The article then moves on to examine the organisation of the ‘fishing industry’, specifically the relationship between fish-salting establishments and the fishermen who provided the fish. Although we have many literary, documentary, and archaeological sources for fish preservation and fishing techniques in classical antiquity, the fishermen engaged in large-scale fishing remain rather elusive.
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This article focuses on chapter 38 of the Paradoxa, in which Cicero attacks those prominent contemporaries of his who were too fond of their fishponds. Chapter 38 is part of the treatment of the fifth Stoic paradox, which states that only... more
This article focuses on chapter 38 of the Paradoxa, in which Cicero attacks those prominent contemporaries of his who were too fond of their fishponds. Chapter 38 is part of the treatment of the fifth Stoic paradox, which states that only the wise man is free and all fools are slaves. The article argues that, when the rhetorical structure of the work and earlier comparisons made in the text are considered, it becomes clear that Cicero was alluding to the existence, in luxury maritime villas, of real slaves given the specific task of looking after the fishponds and their content. This reading of the text is further supported by what is currently known about Roman fish-farming practices on the basis of archaeological and comparative data. The clarification of this textual point contributes to our knowledge of the servile roles and specializations attested in very wealthy households.
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This paper discusses the possible impact the exploitation of marine resources had on local environments and on the intra- and inter-regional use of natural resources by looking at a range of archaeological, historical and ethnographic... more
This paper discusses the possible impact the exploitation of marine resources had on local environments and on the intra- and inter-regional use of natural resources by looking at a range of archaeological, historical and ethnographic material. It examines the specific example of a fishing technique, night fishing by fire, which was used in antiquity and in modern times. 19th-century data show that night fishing had considerable impact on wood resources, leading even to cases of deforestation, suggesting that a similar impact on the environment might have occurred also in antiquity.
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Viticulture occupied a significant place in the Roman agricultural economy and over time cultivation and production techniques were refined. We can get a general idea of these technical advancements, including the development of new grape... more
Viticulture occupied a significant place in the Roman agricultural economy and over time cultivation and production techniques were refined. We can get a general idea of these technical advancements, including the development of new grape varieties, from the texts of the Latin agronomists. For example, whereas only seven grapevine types are mentioned in Cato’s manual, Columella lists no less than 63. In the 1st century AD, viticulture expanded considerably also in provincial territories, particularly in Gaul and in Hispania. In specific parts of these provinces a connection between the planting of vineyards and the establishment of Roman colonial settlements and farms has been observed. This paper will examine two issues. First, drawing on recent archaeological and palaeobotanical evidence, it will propose the possible model that was available to small and medium-sized colonial farmers who wanted to establish vineyards ex novo in provincial settings. These growers still choose to pursue commercial viticulture but, unlike the big landlords, their more limited resources and networks meant that even procuring vine cuttings to establish a vineyard abroad could be challenging. The second part of the paper, following an observation made some years ago by Marco Maiuro (2012, 220) will look at the emergence of new wines in the early-imperial period, arguing that the emperor and the wine production of imperial estates played a crucial role in establishing new wines on the market.
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The Augustan era was a period of profound socio-political and cultural changes in Rome. It was also, as I shall I argue on the basis of literary and archaeological evidence, a time when Roman commercial horticulture experienced a real... more
The Augustan era was a period of profound socio-political and cultural changes in Rome. It was also, as I shall I argue on the basis of literary and archaeological evidence, a time when Roman commercial horticulture experienced a real acceleration in terms of productivity and variety of cultivars available. In my talk, I will focus in particular on arboriculture, exploring it from both an ideological and ‘practical’ point of view. I will argue that the interest of various writers of the era in discussing cultivars traits and yields and the diffusion of novel fruit and vegetables in the provinces owned much to Augustus’ colonization programme.
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Wealthy Romans owned a large portfolio of properties, encompassing commercial and residential real estate in both urban and non-urban settings. Ownership of several rural and maritime villas in different geographic locations was the norm... more
Wealthy Romans owned a large portfolio of properties, encompassing commercial and residential real estate in both urban and non-urban settings. Ownership of several rural and maritime villas in different geographic locations was the norm for the moneyed elite, and such properties, as can be appreciated from the ancient texts, were continuously bought, sold, confiscated, and auctioned off.
The location of luxury villas was dictated primarily by either the desirability of the area or by the availability of exploitable natural resources. In this paper, I examine the case of the luxury maritime villa of Positano, on the Amalfi side of the Sorrento Peninsula. The villa, whose existence was known since the 18th century but that only recently has been partially excavated, does not appear to conform to these criteria. It was a luxury residence built in a location that, however beautiful for its natural landscape, was difficult and very challenging in antiquity: it had no relevant natural resources, it presented very little land that could afford only limited agriculture, and it could be reached only by sea. Yet, someone decided to build a villa on this spot. What were the reasons? What motivated the owner to invest in the high-quality décor and in the shipping of building material from Rome to erect a residence that was completely isolated? The archaeological identification of a late Republican phase in this building indicates that the answer cannot simply be that the villa developed after Tiberius retired on the island of Capri because someone desired geographic proximity to the emperor. The paper will discuss the Positano villa in the context of the real estate market along the Bay of Naples and Sorrento Peninsula and offer some considerations on the possible reasons it came into existence.
The location of luxury villas was dictated primarily by either the desirability of the area or by the availability of exploitable natural resources. In this paper, I examine the case of the luxury maritime villa of Positano, on the Amalfi side of the Sorrento Peninsula. The villa, whose existence was known since the 18th century but that only recently has been partially excavated, does not appear to conform to these criteria. It was a luxury residence built in a location that, however beautiful for its natural landscape, was difficult and very challenging in antiquity: it had no relevant natural resources, it presented very little land that could afford only limited agriculture, and it could be reached only by sea. Yet, someone decided to build a villa on this spot. What were the reasons? What motivated the owner to invest in the high-quality décor and in the shipping of building material from Rome to erect a residence that was completely isolated? The archaeological identification of a late Republican phase in this building indicates that the answer cannot simply be that the villa developed after Tiberius retired on the island of Capri because someone desired geographic proximity to the emperor. The paper will discuss the Positano villa in the context of the real estate market along the Bay of Naples and Sorrento Peninsula and offer some considerations on the possible reasons it came into existence.
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This lecture will examine the contribution of formal and informal social ties and personal relations to the workings of long-distance trade. Specific financial or juridical solutions, such as maritime loans or the use of institores, were... more
This lecture will examine the contribution of formal and informal social ties and personal relations to the workings of long-distance trade. Specific financial or juridical solutions, such as maritime loans or the use of institores, were essential to the development of maritime trade, as were the development of adequate physical infrastructure and services. But trade rested also on an intricate web of social links involving traders, professional associations, state officials, and local notables. These links can at times be reconstructed, largely through the evidence of honorific inscriptions. The exact nature of the advantages deriving from such relations may escape us, but it is clear that they played an important role in successful commercial transactions. Such ties may have lowered transaction costs, helped in finding credit, in building supply and distribution networks, and in establishing trust between local communities and foreign traders. The right connections, networks, and contacts were important in guarantying successful overseas trade. Hence, the framework within which the various economic agents operated was greatly shaped by the personal infrastructure they had in place.
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In this talk I first examine the evidence large-scale fishing in the Roman world, and then focus on the case of coastal lagoons, which remain an underestimated natural resources in modern studies of the ancient economy. Coastal lagoons... more
In this talk I first examine the evidence large-scale fishing in the Roman world, and then focus on the case of coastal lagoons, which remain an underestimated natural resources in modern studies of the ancient economy. Coastal lagoons occupied a good part of the ancient Mediterranean landscape and offered many resources (e.g., fowling or summer pastures), but above rich fisheries. The talk illustrates the important role lagoons had for the Roman fishing ‘industry’ and for aquaculture practices by discussing: 1) cases of protracted disputes over who controlled exploitation rights and the revenues from lagoons which occurred between Roman tax farmers and local communities, as can be seen in the case of Ephesus and of Histria; 2) examples of towns renowned for the large-scale production of preserved fish products (e.g., garum) such as Carthago Nova in Spain, whose success can be explained by the fact they could exploit both marine and lagoonal fisheries; and 3) the case of Roman oyster farming developed by Sergius Orata in the Lucrine Lake, in fact a large costal lagoon, near Baiae on the Bay of Naples.
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This paper examines two interrelated phenomena: 1) the symbolic dimension of Roman elite gardens, and 2) how horticulture, and in particular arboriculture, became a signifier of power and wealth for the ancient Romans, with... more
This paper examines two interrelated phenomena: 1) the symbolic dimension of Roman elite gardens, and 2) how horticulture, and in particular arboriculture, became a signifier of power and wealth for the ancient Romans, with plant-transplantation and grafting part of the elite competitive display.
From the Late Republic onwards, private gardens became an important component of elite self-representation, a way to symbolically express, through the type of planting and statuary, the social status, qualities, and culture of the owner. Gardens reflected also Rome’s territorial expansion and new annexations of land: new plants or new varieties of known plants were often discovered during military campaigns and brought back to Italy by commanders to be planted in their gardens or on their villa estates. Just as grand private and public architecture had entered the political discourse, so did gardens too, with projects like Lucullus’ Horti and Pompey’s Porticus. It is against this background that we need to place the interest prominent Romans displayed in arboriculture and the flourishing of treatises on the subject in the Augustan period. As this paper will discuss, such interest was not simply rooted in economic considerations about the management and financial returns of elite agricultural estates or in the wish to have a ‘hobby’ that conformed to traditional aristocratic values, which placed great emphasis on agriculture. The elite Romans’ interest in arboriculture was as much ideological as it was practical, with grafting seen as a symbol of one’s power over nature. The ideological role of horticulture in the 1st century BC and 1st century AD is well encapsulated in Pliny’s remarks that the art of grafting and naming new fruit varieties gave glory and offered to the cultivators an ‘everlasting memorial’.
From the Late Republic onwards, private gardens became an important component of elite self-representation, a way to symbolically express, through the type of planting and statuary, the social status, qualities, and culture of the owner. Gardens reflected also Rome’s territorial expansion and new annexations of land: new plants or new varieties of known plants were often discovered during military campaigns and brought back to Italy by commanders to be planted in their gardens or on their villa estates. Just as grand private and public architecture had entered the political discourse, so did gardens too, with projects like Lucullus’ Horti and Pompey’s Porticus. It is against this background that we need to place the interest prominent Romans displayed in arboriculture and the flourishing of treatises on the subject in the Augustan period. As this paper will discuss, such interest was not simply rooted in economic considerations about the management and financial returns of elite agricultural estates or in the wish to have a ‘hobby’ that conformed to traditional aristocratic values, which placed great emphasis on agriculture. The elite Romans’ interest in arboriculture was as much ideological as it was practical, with grafting seen as a symbol of one’s power over nature. The ideological role of horticulture in the 1st century BC and 1st century AD is well encapsulated in Pliny’s remarks that the art of grafting and naming new fruit varieties gave glory and offered to the cultivators an ‘everlasting memorial’.
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Ancient Campania, particularly the Vesuvian area and the Sorrento Peninsula, presents the two, opposite faces of Roman villas: on the one hand the luxurious villae maritimae, seat of otium on the part of the highest echelons of Roman... more
Ancient Campania, particularly the Vesuvian area and the Sorrento Peninsula, presents the two, opposite faces of Roman villas: on the one hand the luxurious villae maritimae, seat of otium on the part of the highest echelons of Roman society; on the other, the many productive rural villas exploiting the agricultural fertility of the region. Such dichotomy is, in fact, more apparent than real. All villas, even those which were places of conspicuous consumption and symbol of the owner’s social standing, were part of a portfolio of properties and landholdings where different production activities—at times complementing each other—took place. This paper will discuss the range of production activities and natural resources exploited in villas, which went beyond agriculture proper, including such activities as oyster and fish farming. The paper will contextualize the role of these economic activities in the local and inter-regional economy, and will discuss the interdependence, in terms of available natural resources, between coastal and inland areas.
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Modern geographers and sociologists have developed since the early twentieth century theoretical models that could be applied to the analysis of modern urban systems. These models have been established in the attempt to go beyond the... more
Modern geographers and sociologists have developed since the early twentieth century theoretical models that could be applied to the analysis of modern urban systems. These models have been established in the attempt to go beyond the simple description of spatial distribution and to understand the process of urbanization and forces at play within and between urban centres.
In this lecture I discuss the application of rank-size analysis and rank-size rule, also known as Zipf’s law, to the study of ancient urban systems. Two case studies focusing on the cities of Roman Britain and the Iberian Peninsula will illustrate the methodological approach used, the limits posed by the nature of the datasets available for antiquity, and what this kind of analysis can reveal about urban systems.
In this lecture I discuss the application of rank-size analysis and rank-size rule, also known as Zipf’s law, to the study of ancient urban systems. Two case studies focusing on the cities of Roman Britain and the Iberian Peninsula will illustrate the methodological approach used, the limits posed by the nature of the datasets available for antiquity, and what this kind of analysis can reveal about urban systems.
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Horticulture had a clear cultural role in the Roman world. In the late Republic in particular, it was used to construct the public persona of many elite Romans. Introducing new plants from far away regions or developing new fruit... more
Horticulture had a clear cultural role in the Roman world. In the late Republic in particular, it was used to construct the public persona of many elite Romans. Introducing new plants from far away regions or developing new fruit varieties became part of the competitive display in which the upper classes engaged. Ancient texts tell of prominent figures, such as L. Lucullus and Cn. Pompeius, introducing into Italy new fruit trees, personally engaging in grafting, and creating lavish suburban gardens. Exotic plants were also displayed as trophies in the military triumphs, the plant being at once a symbol of a newly conquered region and, in the case of valuable plants, an indicator of the revenues now under Roman control. However, there was also an economic dimension in importing new pants and grafting new fruit varieties to grow on one’s estates. This talk will explore these themes, bringing together the ideological and symbolic dimension present in the literary text with recent archaeological discoveries.
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Roman gardens provided more than food and ornamentation; they were often planted to help construct the public persona of their elite owners. Exotic plants from the east appeared as proud trophies of military triumphs and symbols of newly... more
Roman gardens provided more than food and ornamentation; they were often planted to help construct the public persona of their elite owners. Exotic plants from the east appeared as proud trophies of military triumphs and symbols of newly conquered regions. Ancient texts tell of prominent statesmen, such as Pompey and Lucullus, competing to introduce new fruit species and personally engaging in grafting. Such activities provided an important revenue stream to villa estate owners and made a significant contribution to the Roman economy. This talk will explore these themes and more, examining literary and archaeological evidence to reveal the considerable effort and investment that went into crafting luxurious outdoor spaces and providing edibles for the markets of Rome.
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Workshop: THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF COASTAL LAGOONS IN ANTIQUITY AND THE MIDDLE AGES, the Centre for Economic History, in collaboration with the Department of Classics, University of Reading
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Abundant archaeological evidence attests to the volume and geographic range of trade that took place in the Roman era, particularly in the last century of the Republic and the first two centuries of the Empire. There is general consensus... more
Abundant archaeological evidence attests to the volume and geographic range of trade that took place in the Roman era, particularly in the last century of the Republic and the first two centuries of the Empire. There is general consensus that the early Roman imperial period was marked by intensification in various sectors: in agricultural production, in the rate of urbanization and building activity, in the volume of ore mined and smelted, and in the volume of maritime trade. Numerous factors contributed to such development: the socio-political conditions, the expansion of infrastructure, and the availability of certain services.
This paper will discuss the production and distribution of one type of foodstuffs which, as shown by the amphora finds, was widely traded in the Roman empire and which, according to some scholars, may have played an important role in the protein intake of the wider population: preserved (mainly salted) fish and fish sauces. Installations for fish salting, which developed in connection to large-scale fishing, are found in many coastal areas of the Roman world and varied in scale from small workshops to “factories”. Unlike later historical periods, however, when often efforts put into fishing were rendered null by the difficulty fishermen encountered in preserving their catches, because of lack of capital and difficulty in acquiring sufficient salt, the same is not true for the Roman period. The reasons for this development are not limited to the political unity and the minor number of custom barriers of the Roman world when compared to Europe in later periods, but include the availability of a range of organizational infrastructure (e.g., business partnerships) and flexible use of the legal framework. The paper will also discuss the effects fishing and fish salting had on a range of subsidiary economic activities and flow of goods.
This paper will discuss the production and distribution of one type of foodstuffs which, as shown by the amphora finds, was widely traded in the Roman empire and which, according to some scholars, may have played an important role in the protein intake of the wider population: preserved (mainly salted) fish and fish sauces. Installations for fish salting, which developed in connection to large-scale fishing, are found in many coastal areas of the Roman world and varied in scale from small workshops to “factories”. Unlike later historical periods, however, when often efforts put into fishing were rendered null by the difficulty fishermen encountered in preserving their catches, because of lack of capital and difficulty in acquiring sufficient salt, the same is not true for the Roman period. The reasons for this development are not limited to the political unity and the minor number of custom barriers of the Roman world when compared to Europe in later periods, but include the availability of a range of organizational infrastructure (e.g., business partnerships) and flexible use of the legal framework. The paper will also discuss the effects fishing and fish salting had on a range of subsidiary economic activities and flow of goods.
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The importance of the ‘Mediterranean triad’ in the diet and cash crop production of the Roman world is well-known, as is the fact that since Cato’s manual de Agricutlura olive trees and vineyards are a stable feature of the villa... more
The importance of the ‘Mediterranean triad’ in the diet and cash crop production of the Roman world is well-known, as is the fact that since Cato’s manual de Agricutlura olive trees and vineyards are a stable feature of the villa production discussed in the Latin agronomists.
In Roman Lazio and Campania production of olives and olive oil was widespread and some areas were especially renowned for their olive oil, such as Venafrum. However, the abundant evidence for olive oil imports from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa to Rome in the imperial period on the one hand and the well-attested exports of Campanian wine around the Mediterranean on the other, have placed olive cultivation in these regions and the extent of its contribution to economy somehow in the background.
In this paper I discuss the features of olive cultivation and installations for oil production attested in these two regions. Unlike the case of the multi-press oil producing installations attested in North Africa and Istria, in the villas of Lazio and Campania we find, with just a couple of exceptions, only two presses, one for oil and one for wine. This arrangement reflects the fragmentation of landowning; despite the famous comment by Pliny the Elder (HN 18.35) that latifundia had ruined Italy, there were very few large continuous estates in these regions; properties of the wealthy were scattered in a number of geographic locations.
I examine the problems connected with the identification of oil presses, as it is often very difficult to distinguish between a wine and an oil press. The paper also discusses my attempt at assessing the potential production of oil in the surroundings of Rome by comparing press data from the region with those available for the Guadalquivir Valley, where intensive oleiculture was practised in Roman times. I conclude by considering whether a similar approach can be used for Campania and whether archaeological data can offer any meaningful means at quantifying olive/oil production in ancient Campania.
In Roman Lazio and Campania production of olives and olive oil was widespread and some areas were especially renowned for their olive oil, such as Venafrum. However, the abundant evidence for olive oil imports from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa to Rome in the imperial period on the one hand and the well-attested exports of Campanian wine around the Mediterranean on the other, have placed olive cultivation in these regions and the extent of its contribution to economy somehow in the background.
In this paper I discuss the features of olive cultivation and installations for oil production attested in these two regions. Unlike the case of the multi-press oil producing installations attested in North Africa and Istria, in the villas of Lazio and Campania we find, with just a couple of exceptions, only two presses, one for oil and one for wine. This arrangement reflects the fragmentation of landowning; despite the famous comment by Pliny the Elder (HN 18.35) that latifundia had ruined Italy, there were very few large continuous estates in these regions; properties of the wealthy were scattered in a number of geographic locations.
I examine the problems connected with the identification of oil presses, as it is often very difficult to distinguish between a wine and an oil press. The paper also discusses my attempt at assessing the potential production of oil in the surroundings of Rome by comparing press data from the region with those available for the Guadalquivir Valley, where intensive oleiculture was practised in Roman times. I conclude by considering whether a similar approach can be used for Campania and whether archaeological data can offer any meaningful means at quantifying olive/oil production in ancient Campania.
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The exhibition, Ancient Gardens from Babylon to Rome, mounted at the Boboli Gardens of the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, consists of two parts. The first is set in the Limonaia, a covered rect-angular space designed by Zanobi del Rosso and... more
The exhibition, Ancient Gardens from Babylon to Rome, mounted at the Boboli Gardens of the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, consists of two parts. The first is set in the Limonaia, a covered rect-angular space designed by Zanobi del Rosso and built ca. 1778 as winter housing for the ...
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The article discusses a passage in book 15 of Pliny's Natural history which lists Livia among the creators of new fruit cultivar. It argues that Livia's unique position within and outside her family explains why she appears to be... more
The article discusses a passage in book 15 of Pliny's Natural history which lists Livia among the creators of new fruit cultivar. It argues that Livia's unique position within and outside her family explains why she appears to be the only woman remembered for her direct involvement in arboriculture. The article then discusses grafting, which in ancient Rome was charged with many symbolic meanings, and contextualises the appearance of Livia in horticultural discourse within the ideology of the Augustan era and the increased interest in horticultural matters at that time.
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Research Interests: Geography and Humanities
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Research Interests: History, Ancient History, Economic History, Archaeology, Classics, and 15 moreHistory of Technology, Early Medieval Archaeology, History of Capitalism, Capitalism, Late Antiquity, Labor History and Studies, Ancient economy, Medieval Mediterranean, Middle Ages, Ancient economic history, Elite, Capital Accumulation, Ancient Economy, Roman Archaeology, and consumption sociology
Accessibility navigation. Costly display or economic investment? A quantitative approach to the study of Roman marine aquaculture. ... A quantitative approach to the study of Roman marineaquaculture. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 22. pp.... more
Accessibility navigation. Costly display or economic investment? A quantitative approach to the study of Roman marine aquaculture. ... A quantitative approach to the study of Roman marineaquaculture. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 22. pp. 215-230. ISSN 1047-7594. ...
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Questo articolo presenta i risultati delle prime due campagne di scavo (2018-2019) condotte nel giardino della “Casa della Regina Carolina’ a Pompei (VIII.3.14) nell’ambito di un progetto scientifico multidisciplinare che investiga la... more
Questo articolo presenta i risultati delle prime due campagne di scavo (2018-2019) condotte nel giardino della “Casa della Regina Carolina’ a Pompei (VIII.3.14) nell’ambito di un progetto scientifico multidisciplinare che investiga la relazione tra cultura materiale, ruoli sociali e cambiamenti storici. La domus oggetto di studio fu scavata nel XIX secolo, ma il giardino, tra i più ampi giardini domestici di Pompei, non fu investigato e questo ha consentito di effettuare vari saggi stratigrafici mirati, da un lato, ad individuare la superficie coltivata in antico e dall’altro a chiarire come lo spazio fosse utilizzato e vissuto da parte dei vari ‘utenti’ dal diverso ceto sociale (ad es. il padrone di casa, lo schiavo-giardiniere, etc.). Lo scavo ha restituito non solo dati interessanti sulla natura del giardino distrutto nel 79 d.C., ma ha anche rivelato i resti monumentali di una domus a peristilio di età sannitica. Il diverso orientamento di questa domus che, date le dimensioni e vicinanza al foro probabilmente apparteneva ad un membro di spicco della Pompei repubblicana, indica che l’intera insula subì un drastico rimaneggiamento. I dati attualmente a nostra disposizione suggeriscono che tale rimaneggiamento risalga al periodo successivo al terremoto del 62 d.C.
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The different perspectives brought by disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history have emphasized different aspects and characteristics as essential components of what makes "capitalism." This variety of definitions has, in... more
The different perspectives brought by disciplines such as economics, sociology, and history have emphasized different aspects and characteristics as essential components of what makes "capitalism." This variety of definitions has, in turn, raised the question of whether "capitalism" can be identified in past historical periods, including classical antiquity. This essay will be largely informed by the archaeological evidence from the Roman world and will explore two key components of capitalism: accumulation of capital and production.
The aim of the paper is to discuss the motivations behind the desire to accumulate wealth in the Roman early imperial period as revealed by archaeological examples. By focusing on case-studies, the paper will investigate the mechanisms behind the accumulation of capital in connection to the development of viticulture in Gaul and in Hispania Tarraconensis in the early imperial period; the growth in investment related to large-scale fishing and processing of fish products; and the intensification and growth of horticulture and arboriculture attested for the early first century AD. The key questions the essay will investigate concern who was able to accumulate capital in the Roman world and if, and to what degree, social mobility impacted on capital accumulation; and whether capital accumulation allowed for investment in innovation and improvements in production or was largely used for conspicuous consumption, which characterized the highly competitive behavior of the Roman elite.
The aim of the paper is to discuss the motivations behind the desire to accumulate wealth in the Roman early imperial period as revealed by archaeological examples. By focusing on case-studies, the paper will investigate the mechanisms behind the accumulation of capital in connection to the development of viticulture in Gaul and in Hispania Tarraconensis in the early imperial period; the growth in investment related to large-scale fishing and processing of fish products; and the intensification and growth of horticulture and arboriculture attested for the early first century AD. The key questions the essay will investigate concern who was able to accumulate capital in the Roman world and if, and to what degree, social mobility impacted on capital accumulation; and whether capital accumulation allowed for investment in innovation and improvements in production or was largely used for conspicuous consumption, which characterized the highly competitive behavior of the Roman elite.