Panel 5.23 – Transport amphorae


Organisation/Vorsitz:

  • Rebecca Diana Klug

Paper abstracts

1. Rebecca Diana Klug (Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen)

Transport Amphorae and the historical space – city – chora – hinterland
One result of the Greek Colonisation was the increasing trade between Greece and the western Mediterranean; the amount of Greek imports is higher. The excavations and surveys show that the Greek vessels also reached non-Greek areas. Foodstuffs, like wine and oil, had been important exchange goods. Amphorae were used as transport vessels for liquid and solid goods. Amphorae are both most common and best preserved transport vessels. The different shapes are significant for their origin, not for the contents. All attempts to connect the shape to the content would mean reducing the export goods of one city or region to a single kind. The amphorae are therefore a significant object group to study the ancient economy; even if they are not the proper exchange good, but rather the package. South Italy and Sicily create the investigation area. The Greek Colonisation directly influenced both. The Greek settlements enforced exchange and contacts between different cultures, which are visible in the changes to the material culture. The focus of this project is based on the Greek amphorae found in Greek and non-Greek contexts of the 8th-5th century BC and the information they give us about the type of exchange inside the Greek world on the one hand, and between the Greeks and non-Greeks on the other hand. It seems probable that the imported amphorae (including Greek, Punic and Etruscan amphorae) reached the Greek settlements first and were then distributed into the non-Greek areas.

"Transport Amphorae and the Historical Space: Similarities and Differences in the Distribution of Transport Amphorae in Sicily and South Italy" (Fulltext)

 

2. Anthi Kaldeli (Department of Antiquities Cyprus)

Trade and exchange in the eastern Mediterranean: economic perspectives reflected in the amphorae from Cyprus
The aim of this paper is to provide an insight into the economy of the eastern Mediterranean regions, through the examination of trade and exchange, as reflected in the amphorae from Cyprus. The line of enquiry followed will largely draw on new evidence, based on recent advances in the study of eastern amphorae, not only from Cyprus, but also from neighbouring areas. The identification of new eastern amphora types, including variations and imitations of previously known types, increases our knowledge on production in this part of the empire, but at the same time it adds to the variability characterizing the exchange mechanisms operating in the eastern Mediterranean basin. These new data in conjunction with the strategic position of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, and the application of a theoretical and methodological framework, based on statistical analyses, will shed light in the character of distribution and the associated economic perspectives in the eastern territories, including respective changes and fluctuations. Emphasis will also be put on related institutions, local economies and other non-economic factors that impinged upon the structures reflected in spatial patterns, thus contributing towards elucidating debatable issues concerning the broader character and scale of the Roman economy, within the wider socio-political system.

 

3. Daniel Mateo Corredor (University of Alicante)

The trade of Adriatic wine in the southern Iberian Peninsula and its connection with the economic and social transformations in the context of the Roman Civil Wars
This paper analyses the arrival and the uneven distribution of Adriatic wine, transported in Lamboglia 2 amphorae, to the south of the Iberian Peninsula, exploring the economic and social transformations behind this fact. Stratigraphic and quantitative data obtained from different amphorae assemblages leads to the idea that the arrival of Adriatic wine to this area would be focused over the second and the beginning of the third quarter of the 1st century. The start of that period mainly coincides with the fall of Delos and the collapse of the slave trade in the East, to which the commercialization of Late Republican Adriatic wine was related. It is proposed that there might be a relationship between the crisis in the eastern market and the rise of the presence of Lamboglia 2 in specific western areas. Moreover, it is observed that there might be a link between Pompey, the Adriatic wine production and Lamboglia 2 amphorae. It is highlighted the chronological coincidence between the period where the arrival of this type of amphora to the south of the Iberian Peninsula reaches its peak, the presence of Pompey and the development of his network of clients in this territory. In that sense, it is explored the hypothesis that the trade of Adriatic wine that reaches the area of southern Hispania could be related to the economic interests of Pompey and/or his clients.

"The Trade of Adriatic Wine in the Southern Iberian Peninsula and its Connection with the Economic and Social Transformations in the Context of the Roman Civil Wars" (Fulltext)

 

4. Paulina Komar (Jagiellonian University)

Wine and the Roman economy
The ongoing debate regarding the nature of ancient economy, starting with Finley’s criticism of Rostovtzeff’s theories, not only lacks a final conclusion, but poses more questions than answers. Recently, scholars have concentrated on looking for evidence that could confirm or reject the existence of economic growth in antiquity (e.g. W. Scheidel, A. Wilson, W. Jongman, E. Lo Cascio, R.Saller), and in the former case attempted to define its character, as well as examining the degree of integration of the Roman ‘market’ (e.g. W. Scheidel, P. Bang, P. Temin, K. Greene, G. Bransbourg).

Research on the number of amphoras imported to Latium and Campania sheds some light on these issues. First of all, the number of imported containers indicates that considerable economic growth of an extensive character took place in central Tyrrhenian Italy between the Late Republican and Early Imperial period. Secondly, analyses of the types of imported products, eastern wines in particular, suggest that this growth might have also been intensive. Finally, the highest numbers of imported containers in Rome come from the areas of the lowest transportation costs. This correlation suggests a certain integration of the Roman imperial market, which moves the image of the ancient economy away from the primitive vision of Finley.

 

5. Diana Dobreva und Anna Riccato (University of Padova)

Aegean trade in adriatic area: new evidences from Aquileia
The aim of the present paper is to analyse trade connections that develop between Aquileia, main commercial hub in northern Adriatic, and the Aegean region, which is one of the most intense area in Mediterranean from an economic point of view. Trade transformations which involved Aquileia and the Aegean were particularly significant because of the size and nature of trade and of its regularity. In order to reconstruct a comprehensive model of these relations a detailed pottery study will be performed. We will make use of case studies from the so-called Domus of Titus Macer to establish in which ways this correlation changes over time and how we can explain some trends. The possibility to examine a big amount and variety of shards, relevant to different pottery classes (as amphorae, fine and cooking wares and lamps) are perfect classic examples of the multiplicity of production centres in the Aegean. The examined data offered the opportunity to carry out an in-depth analysis of the long-term Aegean imports in Adriatic which developed between Late Republican and Late Antique times. By taking a closer look at the Aegean pottery found in Aquileia, we want to explore imported wares from a quantitative and chronological point of view and discuss distribution patterns of Aegean products in Adriatic. In order to better understand the reasons of this long-term success, some comparison with other regional realities will be performed.

 

6. Daniel J. Martín-Arroyo (Universitat de Barcelona)

Trade and institution from Alexandria to Rome: The amphorae from Pompeii
Amphorae from Pompeii can be related to each other from their forms and provenances, their epigraphic features and their specific assemblages or contexts. A quantitative and epigraphic analysis will allow to define certain aspects on the Mediterranean trade and its scope in the Campania region.
Concerning this, some hypotheses are posed on the mechanisms of the successful commercialization of the oriental amphorae found in Pompeii. The annonary supply from Alexandria to Puteoli, Rome, and the limes was associated with the exchange of other products. Regional redistribution and navigation stopovers should be considered for the configuration of these secondary cargoes. The tituli picti seem to fit in the configuration of the assemblages along these routes, with the intervention of certain traders with specific roles and relationships, as showed by the epigraphic interconnections of some Egyptian, Cilician and Cretan amphorae.
Private trade would also have benefited from other forms of public administration. Thus, the Cretan amphorae have been associated with the collection of Capuan vectigalia, as well as the Carrot-type amphorae to the imperial properties. In addition to this, the remarkable epigraphic presence of Ti. Ti. Claudii is a possible indicator of imperial intervention through his slaves and freedmen. Finally, these tituli picti will allow a new approach to the personal relationships of commercial agents benefited from the economic dynamics of Roman institutions.

"Trade and Institution from Alexandria to Rome: The Amphorae from Pompeii" (Fulltext)

 

7. Juan Manuel Bermúdez Lorenzo (Universitat de Barcelona)

A través de mar y montañas: la epigrafía anfórica en Noricum
La investigación en epigrafía anfórica con una visión provincial comenzó hace algunos años con un interés especial. Esta visión conectada ayuda a comprender la organización del abastecimiento (sobre todo militar). Los hallazgos en Noricum son pocos y la importancia de las ciudades es limitada. No obstante, el papel de la provincia fue determinante en época de las Guerras Marcomanas y la llegada de la Legio II Italica. Por eso el abastecimiento de la Praefectura Annonae debería haber aumentado entonces.
Mi propuesta es ofrecer un status quaestionis sobre la epigrafía anfórica de Noricum y comparar los resultados con las provincias vecinas. Mediante esta comparación se podría debatir sobre las dos rutas de abastecimiento del aceite de oliva proveniente de la Bética y encontrado en Noricum. También se tratarán las necesidades mínimas de este producto en conexión con las unidades militares apostadas en Noricum.
En conjunto, es un objetivo de esta comunicación ofrecer una nueva visión del comercio de la provincia de Noricum a través de la epigrafía y el análisis de la presencia de unidades militares.

 

8. Pablo Ozcáriz (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos)

Los grafitos "ante cocturam" de las ánforas Dressel 20. Sisitematización para la elaboración de un corpus
En la presente comunicación ofrecemos una propuesta para la elaboración de un corpus de grafitos "ante cocturam" sobre ánforas Dressel 20. Los grafitos en Dressel 20 están realizados sobre la pasta antes de la cocción y cumplen una función relacionada con el proceso de elaboración de la pieza. Desde el grupo Ceipac se llevan publicando los resultados de las excavaciones en el Monte Testaccio, en los que se incluyen ya varios centenares de estos grafitos. En este momento se requiere, por tanto, elaborar un corpus que permita exprimir la información. Para ello necesitaremos establecer con cierta claridad los diferentes tipos existentes y las diferentes funciones que tuvieron según su contenido, localización en la pieza, y cronología. Su elaboración nos ayudará comprender mejor su utilidad y, por tanto, el funcionamiento de uno de los procesos de producción en serie más destacados del Imperio romano.

"Los grafitos “ante cocturam” de las ánforas Dressel 20. Propuesta de sistematización para la elaboración de un corpus" (Fulltext)

 

9. Marta Bajtler (Polish Academy of Sciences)

Who in Antiquity sealed amphorae and stamped stoppers? An attempt to understand the process based on examples of finds from Berenike (Egypt) and Risan (Montenegro)
Usage of stoppers was forced by long distance trade. As stopper could have been used almost every kind of material, which could be blocked in the neck of amphorae and sealed by plaster or wet clay. In some cases, the material used for sealing and plugging vessels was characteristic for particular period or region. In Roman Egypt, local wine designated for international trade was closed by different organic and nonorganic plugs, sealed by plaster and sometimes stamped. Seals made from wet clay were popular in local small trade scale and during Hellenistic and Late Roman period. In Central Italy wine produced during last two century of Republic period was sealed in amphorae by natural cork and stamped layer of pouzzolana. In similar period in Adriatic region, wine amphorae were closed by totally different way. The amphora neck was blocked with ceramic stopper produced at potter’s wheel or formed in a mould. Sealing substance was used probably only to seal thin breaks between stopper and inner walls of amphora neck. These kinds of stoppers wear inscriptions and decorations created during production of entire stopper.
Described examples were commerce stamps and usually included personal names. In few cases, we can find real people involved in long-distance trade at confirmed, e.g. at ostracons. But, did it work the same everywhere? Who made the stamps at stoppers: wine producer, owner of the ship or amphorae producer? These are just a few of many questions, I will try to answer.

"Who in Antiquity Sealed Amphorae and Stamped Stoppers? An Attempt to Understand the Process Based on Examples of Finds from Berenike (Egypt) and Risan (Montenegro)" (Fulltext)