Agriculture and Trade in Ancient Roman latifundia

Depiction of Ancient Roman rural villaAncient Roman goods were moved in simple ships and barges

Trade Routes in Ancient Rome

Trade routes within the Empire

Trade with other empires

The Silk Road

Colaucothi Gold Mine, England – a site of Ancient Roman mining

1st century AD Chinese silk fragment

Farming in Ancient Rome

Empress Livia as Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture, c. 20 BC, Louvre, Paris

Mosaic depicting plowing, Relief depicting threshing of wheatRoman, 1st-2nd century AD

Farming in Ancient Rome

Farm goods were transported on carts drawn by oxen Sheep were raised for wool and

meat

Wheat was raised for bread

Farmers supplemented their crops with hunting

Latifundia

Villa Urbana

Villa Rustica

Olive Oil

Olive trees take up to 10 years to mature and bear fruit, but live up to 500 years

Reproduction of the Parthenon frieze depicting the legendary contest between Athena and Poseidon in which Athena creates the olive tree

Olive oil production

The “Olive Harvest vase” probably by the Antimenes painter, c. 530-510 BC, Etruscan

Ancient olive millstone, Israel

Pressing the oil

Lever press

Screw press

Ancient olive press, Turkey