Roman campaigns in the Lower Danube region. The olive oil supplies, from Augustus to Trajan
Mariana Egri
- abstract -
This paper will discuss some archaeological evidence concerning a problem that generated consistent debates - the mechanisms of military supply. Almost all previous studies are taking into consideration mostly the epigraphic evidence, but it is also worth analysing the information provided by particular artefacts, for example olive oil amphorae.
Oil olive was, and it is still today, an important part of the Mediterranean diet. As a consequence, it was always considered by specialists as one of the major purchases of the Roman army. However, it is important to observe that was a significant difference between the logistics required by an army in campaign and that of a cantoned army in a fully established province. Therefore the mechanisms of supply used in the first case may not be similar with those concerning a settled army in a rather peaceful period.
During the period between the conquest of Illyricum (35-33 BC) and Trajan's Dacian campaigns (AD 101-102 and 105-106), Istrian Peninsula was the major source of olive oil for the Lower Danube region. The archaeological evidence is showing a wide distribution of Dressel amphorae in Pannonia, while in Moesia they are known only from military sites along the Danube. At the same time, similar pieces are coming from sites in Barbaricum, close to the Danube frontier between Pannonia, Moesia and Dacia. However, taking into consideration their chronological distribution, it was observed that Dressel 6B amphorae are mirroring phases of the military control in the region, first in southern Pannonia and along the Amber Route, later up to the Danube. Moreover, the size of some amphora assemblages looks to be associated with the presence of legions in particular sites. Three situations deserve particular attention in this respect. Chronologically the first is Nauportus, looking to be Octavian's supplying base for his Illyrian campaign. The second is Devin, very probably used by Tiberius for his expedition across the Danube in AD 6, whereas the third is representing an array of rather small sites from the Iron Gates region, which were used by Trajan for the Dacian campaigns.
As the period under discussion was characterised by an intense military activity, also marked by a series of important campaigns across the frontier, which required a concentration of units, the distribution patterns of olive oil amphorae may help for identifying the major consumers, the level of demand and the mechanisms of fulfilling this.