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Ancient Roman Farming: Agriculture, Domesticated Animals And The Roman Empire
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Published: July 19, 2007
It is easy to forget the significance of the Roman Empire and the effects it had on modern technology. As the empire grew and conquered most of the neighboring lands, the Romans began implementing their own processes and beliefs to the newly acquired regions. Though many know of their spreading Roman religion, few realize that Roman farming was another practice brought to nations under Roman rule.
The Romans were not particularly good farmers, often needing to import items such as wheat and grain from other provinces. Despite their rather poor abilities in comparison to other farming nations, Roman farming made up for this with advanced technology and processes that helped them to get the most out of the fields they cultivated. The Romans understood how to manipulate the fields they cultivated, and Roman farming was able to minimize weeds and other problems.
Roman farming introduced many new farming technologies that were necessary for the Roman Empire to sustain itself. In Gaul, the Romans invented what is considered to be the first mechanical harvester, a machine that was dragged by domesticated animals like oxen and removed the head of the crops from the stalk which stayed rooted in the ground. Roman farming also began the rotary process of milling grains that again increased productivity and minimized work. Some rotary mills were turned by hand, but in time water mills became a popular and even more efficient practice in Roman agriculture. Roman farming also utilized existing practices like dams and irrigation to help keep farms running smoothly.
Roman farming relied heavily on domesticated animals for both use in the fields and for such necessities as milk, eggs, wool, and manure. Oxen, mules, and donkeys were used frequently for plowing and work in the fields, and animals like goats were raised to make products from their hair. Roman farming also was at the forefront of practices such as animal husbandry. This process was meant to give domesticated animals favorable traits through selective breeding.
Ancient Roman farming focused on wheats, grains and other cereals as well as olives and grapes. Vineyards and olive groves were generally larger than other farms of the Roman Empire and were permanent fixtures, unlike other products the Romans grew. Outside of these farms for grapes and olives, Roman farming often would alternate the crops being grown to help maximize the yield of crops. Because of their tendency to produce rather poor yields, it was important for Roman farming to develop good processes for harvesting the crops. The curved sickle was used during the harvest, and its unique design (which even today has changed very little since the Roman age) made it easy to use repeatedly.
Ancient Roman farming is an excellent example of how a large empire was able to maintain its vast holding despite poor farming ability. Roman agriculture shows how the Roman people used technology and superior practices to make up for other shortcomings. In many ways Roman farming shows the sort of moxy and spirit that made the Roman empire a lasting power for over a thousand years.
Sources:
The Countryside: Agriculture. Romans in Sussex. 2000. The Sussex Archeological Society. 26 June 2007. http://www.romansinsussex.co.uk/level3/themes/life _roman_britain/thecountryside_agriculture.asp
"agriculture, history of." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 26 June 2007 http://secure.britannica.com/eb/article-10565.
Rome: Agriculture. Oracle Education Foundation. 2001. Think Quest. 26 June 2007.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0122667/rome/agri .html
The Romans were not particularly good farmers, often needing to import items such as wheat and grain from other provinces. Despite their rather poor abilities in comparison to other farming nations, Roman farming made up for this with advanced technology and processes that helped them to get the most out of the fields they cultivated. The Romans understood how to manipulate the fields they cultivated, and Roman farming was able to minimize weeds and other problems.
Roman farming introduced many new farming technologies that were necessary for the Roman Empire to sustain itself. In Gaul, the Romans invented what is considered to be the first mechanical harvester, a machine that was dragged by domesticated animals like oxen and removed the head of the crops from the stalk which stayed rooted in the ground. Roman farming also began the rotary process of milling grains that again increased productivity and minimized work. Some rotary mills were turned by hand, but in time water mills became a popular and even more efficient practice in Roman agriculture. Roman farming also utilized existing practices like dams and irrigation to help keep farms running smoothly.
Roman farming relied heavily on domesticated animals for both use in the fields and for such necessities as milk, eggs, wool, and manure. Oxen, mules, and donkeys were used frequently for plowing and work in the fields, and animals like goats were raised to make products from their hair. Roman farming also was at the forefront of practices such as animal husbandry. This process was meant to give domesticated animals favorable traits through selective breeding.
Ancient Roman farming focused on wheats, grains and other cereals as well as olives and grapes. Vineyards and olive groves were generally larger than other farms of the Roman Empire and were permanent fixtures, unlike other products the Romans grew. Outside of these farms for grapes and olives, Roman farming often would alternate the crops being grown to help maximize the yield of crops. Because of their tendency to produce rather poor yields, it was important for Roman farming to develop good processes for harvesting the crops. The curved sickle was used during the harvest, and its unique design (which even today has changed very little since the Roman age) made it easy to use repeatedly.
Ancient Roman farming is an excellent example of how a large empire was able to maintain its vast holding despite poor farming ability. Roman agriculture shows how the Roman people used technology and superior practices to make up for other shortcomings. In many ways Roman farming shows the sort of moxy and spirit that made the Roman empire a lasting power for over a thousand years.
Sources:
The Countryside: Agriculture. Romans in Sussex. 2000. The Sussex Archeological Society. 26 June 2007. http://www.romansinsussex.co.uk/level3/themes/life _roman_britain/thecountryside_agriculture.asp
"agriculture, history of." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 26 June 2007 http://secure.britannica.com/eb/article-10565.
Rome: Agriculture. Oracle Education Foundation. 2001. Think Quest. 26 June 2007.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0122667/rome/agri .html
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