AV 68, 2017: Herbert GRASSL

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK

ARHEOLOŠKI VESTNIK 68, 2017

Herbert GRASSL

Die Rolle von Nauportus (Vrhnika) im Lichte neuer Textfunde
[The Role of Nauportus (Vrhnika) in the light of new epigraphic texts]

Abstract

Four lead tablets, discovered in 2005 at Nauportus (Vrhnika) and published by M. Lovenjak in 2009, are interesting testimonies for the process of Romanization in the age of Augustus. A partially new reading of the first tablet refers to the trade in young grapevine plants. Further details inform us about the costs and the clay pots containing the seedlings. The introduction of the Roman wine culture to the Transalpine area was related to high initial investment capital. The prohibition by the Romans of new plantations of grapes and olives in the second century BC, probably related to the Histri and Iapodes, was no longer in effect when the text was written. The importation of Roman fish sauce mentioned on the second tablet, probably for soldiers in Nauportus, is an outstanding testimony to the spread of Roman culinary preferences and their way of life. Two poorly legible tablets refer to the import of wool and short tunics, indicating that textile production was already developed in Nauportus. The tablets were attached to containers or bales and reveal the usual Roman trade practices, based on monetary transactions and accounting.

Keywords: Slovenia, Roman period, Nauportus (Vrhnika), epigraphy, wine slips/grape plantings, Roman fish sauce, textile production, trade

Article (pdf)