Millions of clay pots once carried olive oil from Hispania to Rome. These pots, known as amphorae, made their final journey to a massive dump on the city’s edge, forming a vast mound of broken pottery. Most of these amphorae came from southern Spain, particularly from the region known today as Andalusia. This area was rich in olive groves and played a major role in the Roman olive oil trade.
The journey of an olive oil amphora began on estates in Spain, where laborers harvested and processed olives into oil. The oil-filled amphorae were then transported down rivers and across the sea to Rome. Upon arrival, the oil was decanted into storage, and the amphorae discarded. Their impractical shape and lingering smell made them unsuitable for reuse, ultimately contributing to Rome’s towering garbage dump.
Key Takeaways
- Millions of amphorae carried olive oil from Spain to Rome.
- The amphorae were discarded at a large dump near Rome.
- Spain’s region was central to the Roman olive oil trade.
The Past Times Surrounding the Story
The Significance of the Pottery Mountain
Rome was home to a massive pile of pottery known as the “Pottery Mountain.” This towering mound was filled with pieces of pottery, mostly from containers called amphorae, which were used to hold olive oil. The scale of the Pottery Mountain was immense, with estimates suggesting that millions of amphorae were discarded there. The majority of these vessels came from regions like Spain and North Africa, reflecting ancient Rome’s extensive trade network.
Amphorae: The Shipping Vessels of Ancient Rome
Amphorae were crucial in the Roman world for transporting goods like olive oil. These large, sturdy containers could hold significant amounts of liquid. Factories across regions made hundreds of amphorae each year, designed to be transported over land and sea. Once filled, these vessels made long journeys, starting from estates, through rivers and ports, before finally reaching warehouses. Despite being essential for trade, the amphorae used for oil were not recycled due to their shape and oil residue.
Emperor Septimius Severus and the Prosperous Roman Times
The reign of Septimius Severus marked a time of renewed prosperity for the Roman Empire. After a long civil war, the empire enjoyed peace which allowed for economic growth, particularly in the olive oil industry. Under his rule, Rome had a structured supply system for essential goods like grain and oil. These were distributed to the population to ensure that everyone had access to these vital resources, showcasing the wealth and organizational strength of the empire during his leadership.
Olive Oil Production in Hispania
Estate Setup
The estates in the fertile valley between Seville and Cordoba were mainly covered with olive trees. The land was managed by an absentee landowner, but the work fell to a mix of free workers and slaves. Both groups lived in different conditions but shared similar duties and lifestyles, maintaining the olive groves through the year.
Gathering and Making Olive Products
Olive harvesting was the busiest time, usually around November and December. During this period, workers collected ripe olives. A millstone driven by a mule crushed the olives into a paste. Then, the paste was placed in baskets and pressed to extract the oil. The resulting olive oil was poured into large storage jars, known as amphora.
Creating and Marking Containers
The heavy amphora were made from local clay and each bore the estate’s owner’s mark. They were too cumbersome to move when filled, so mules were used for transporting. As spring arrived, these amphora were taken by shipload down the river, signaling the start of their journey from Spain to Rome.
Travel to Rome
River Travel
In ancient times, the journey of olive oil from Spain to Rome started on estates in the valley between Seville and Cordoba. The olive oil was collected in large clay containers known as amphorae. These were then transported to river depots on the Guadalquivir River. Loaded onto merchant ships, the amphorae traveled downstream. These river vessels were often packed tight, moving carefully to avoid getting stuck on sandbars.
Sea Journey
Once in the sea, the ships sailed close to the shoreline. This allowed sailors to maintain visual contact with port cities, ensuring a safer and more direct path. The maritime trip took about 22 days to reach Portus, the primary Roman harbor.
Unloading and Storage at Portus
Upon arriving at Portus, a bustling artificial port, the ship was met by customs officials. They performed inspections before the unloading began. Workers used cranes and pulleys to hoist and move the amphorae into large wagons. These wagons transported the containers to concrete warehouses owned by the Emperor. Inside, storage of olive oil was a priority for supplying the capital.
Up the River to the Capital
The final stretch of the journey involved traveling up the Tiber River to Rome. The amphorae, now lashed to barges, were towed by teams of mules. The 20-mile trek took several days. Changeovers for the mule teams were needed due to exhaustion, and an array of barges added to the river traffic. As the olive oil reached its destination at the port of Rome, it was unloaded into storage tanks. The spent amphorae were then disposed of at a large dump outside the city, which continued to grow over time.
Distribution and Usage in Rome
Emperor’s Control Over Olive Oil
Rome relied heavily on olive oil from Spain, especially from the province of Baetica. The olive oil trade was closely watched by the emperor. Every year, large quantities arrived from Spain, organized by imperial contracts. A merchant handled the task of importing these shipments and was linked directly to the emperor’s officials. The emperor himself set the price for the olive oil, ensuring it remained accessible for the population. This system guaranteed that citizens could have a steady supply of olive oil, a key part of their diet.
Grain Rations and Olive Oil Provision
The Roman government managed the distribution of essential goods like grain, and they included olive oil in these rations. During the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, citizens who qualified for grain also received monthly olive oil. This integration ensured that people had access to necessary calories and fats. The merchant responsible for the oil supply had ongoing dealings with the Roman grain authority, making the distribution consistent.
Storing and Repurposing of Pottery Vessels
Amphorae, the pottery containers used for transporting olive oil, accumulated in massive numbers in Rome. While many amphorae found new purposes, such as storage or construction material, the Spanish amphorae faced a different fate. Their bulky size and thick sides made them problematic to reuse. Instead, they were discarded at a location that grew into a massive dump, known as Monte Testaccio. Despite attempts to find other uses, their design and lingering oil residue led to them being primarily waste.
The Final Destination of Pottery Vessels
The Vain Reuse of Spanish Pots
In ancient Rome, the disposal and repurposing of pottery vessels were significant challenges. These large, hefty containers, primarily used for transporting olive oil, came mostly from Spain. Despite attempts to reuse them, Spanish pottery vessels were not ideal for other purposes. Why? Their thick walls and distinctive bulbous shape made them difficult to break into smaller pieces. When they became empty, traces of leftover oil often clung to their surfaces, resulting in an unpleasant odor. This made them unsuitable for other uses like storage or construction materials.
The attempts to incorporate these vessels into concrete were also unsuccessful. The oil residue weakened the structural integrity of the concrete, making it impractical. Roman efforts to transform the Spanish pottery into something useful consistently faced these obstacles, underlining their limited use beyond their initial purpose.
Monte Testaccio: The Old Waste Pile
One of the ancient world’s largest waste piles, Monte Testaccio, was a testament to the impressive scale of pottery disposal in Rome. What made it special? It was entirely made up of discarded pottery fragments. This artificial hill grew from broken pottery vessels that had once held goods, particularly olive oil.
Monte Testaccio stood tall, housing millions of pottery shards. The site, initially meant for these unusable containers, eventually became as tall as some of Rome’s hills. As the vessels were offloaded in Rome and emptied of their valuable contents, they were carted off to this dedicated dumpsite. Once at Monte Testaccio, laborers and slaves methodically unloaded the discarded containers, contributing to the hill’s ever-growing mass.
This pile of waste preserved the legacy of ancient trade practices, highlighting the city’s dependency on imports for essential commodities like olive oil. Monte Testaccio was more than just a waste dump; it was a historical marker that showcased Rome’s bustling trade and industrial challenges.
Cultural and Commercial Importance
Early Trade and Transport Systems
In the ancient world, a massive garbage dump made of broken pottery was located outside Rome, growing as high as the Pantheon. Among these vessels, known as amphorae, the majority from Spain contained olive oil, which was essential to Roman life. The olive oil primarily came from the region now called Andalucia. These amphorae were large, capable of holding up to 70 liters, and they were regularly brought to Rome for the growing demand.
Olive oil production was a key part of life along Spain’s Guadalquivir River. Estates in this region, owned by wealthy landlords living in urban luxury, were primarily used for growing olives. The hard work was done by both free workers and slaves who handled everything from maintaining the groves to harvesting and processing the olives into oil. Once pressed, the oil was put into amphorae, which were then transported to the river for further trade.
Shipping the oil required navigating ancient trade routes along the coast. Vessels were loaded with these amphorae, traveling past coastal cities to artificial harbors like the one at Portus. Upon arrival, customs officials examined the cargo. The stored olive oil was controlled by the Roman Empire and distributed as part of the state’s supply of essential goods like grain, ensuring a steady supply to feed Rome’s populace.
Financial Influence of Olive Oil from Spain
Spanish olive oil had a significant economic role in ancient Rome. This prized product was fundamental to the diet of Romans, providing essential nutrients. The Roman government tightly regulated the price and distribution of olive oil, just like grain.
Merchants signed agreements with estate owners in Spain to bring the oil to Rome, often interacting with officials responsible for these state-controlled commodities. Once the amphorae reached Rome, they were unloaded into massive warehouses owned by the emperor. The oil was then emptied into large storage tanks to supply the city.
Although amphorae were usually repurposed, Spanish ones had limited reuse potential due to their size and the lingering oil. Thus, they were disposed of at a designated dump site, contributing to an ever-growing heap on the outskirts of Rome. This disposal practice highlights both the logistical challenges and the cultural importance of olive oil in ancient Roman society.
