Water, Wine and Oil: Vital Elements of the Roman World

Enjoy Water, Wine and Oil: Vital Elements of the Roman World

Water, wine and oil: the soul of the Roman world
By Karl-Wilhelm Weeber

When asked by the Emperor Augustus about the secret of his long life – 100 years – old Romilius Pollio replied: inside was the wine, outside was the oil. The anecdote sums up the importance of these two vital elements for the ancient Romans. Wine was also important as a trade product: Roman wine merchants could do good business, especially with the Germanic tribes. It is no wonder that wine, from the Latin vinum, is one of the oldest loanwords from German.

Likewise, the Romans shared their highly developed water culture with the defeated peoples. The impressive ruins of huge thermal baths and majestic aqueducts are evidence of a typically Roman attitude throughout the former Roman Empire. In addition to the civilizing importance of the Roman lifeblood, Weeber also addresses its economic aspects. And he tells some strange stories about water, oil, and wine among the ancient Romans.

The volume is richly illustrated with numerous historical illustrations and photographs.

About the author:
Karl-Wilhelm Weeber, born in 1950, is an honorary professor (ancient history) at the University of Wuppertal and a professor of ancient language teaching at the Ruhr University of Bochum. He is also the former director of the Wilhelm-Dörpfeld-Gymnasium Wuppertal. He has written numerous books on Roman cultural history.

2013, About 160 pages with approximately 90 color illustrations, bound with dust jacket
Format 21.0 x 27.0 cm
At Tienda Medieval we have thousands of medieval and other period products. Discover them!