Agriculture
An expansive countryside villa
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In Ancient Pompeii, agriculture was a big deal. "Land and agriculture almost certainly remained the most significant basis of wealth throughout the city's history" (Beard, 164). Most farms were owned by prominent members of Pompeian society, and had slaves and servants to work the land they owned. They put large and elaborate villas on their property, and decorated them lavishly. Along with these more elaborate farms, there were several smaller farms scattered throughout the countryside. These farms were usually smaller, and had sensible, if not plain, homes.
On these farms, both large and small, a multitude of things were grown. Some of the most common produce would have been grapes, wine, milk, wool, and cereals, along with the onion, vouched for by Columella, and the cabbage, recommended by the famous Pliny. These foods made up a large portion of the Pompeian diet, and were important to the Pompeian economy. Evidence suggests that the farmers brought their extra produce to the city, and even shipped some to neighboring cities and countries. However, not all of the produce needed to be sent to the city in the first place. An estimated 10% of land in the city was put towards gardening; identified by root cavities, carbonized seeds, and pollen. |