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Lucius Iunius Moderatus Columella was a Roman author of the first century AD. He was born in 4 AD in Gades in Hispania Baetica. After a career in the army (he was tribune in Syria in 35 AD), he took up farming. His 'Rei rusticae libri' in twelve volumes has been completely preserved and forms our most important source on Roman agriculture, together with the works of Cato the Elder, who may have provided Columella's inspiration. A smaller book on trees (Liber de arboris) has been preserved as well.
Columella used Cornelius Celsus and Cato as sources, and thus Greek and Carthaginian sources are included. His uncle Marcus Columella, 'a clever man and a exceptional farmer' (Book 7, 2, 30), had conducted experiments in sheep breeding, crossing colourful wild rams, introduced from Africa for gladiatorial games, with domestic sheep. It is to be expected that he influenced his nephew's interests. Columella owned farms in Italy and seems to have possessed a lot of practical experience in agriculture.
The book ist presented as advice to a certain Publius Silvinus. Structure of "On Agriculture":
- soils
- viticulture
- fruits
- olive trees
- 6: big animals: cattle, horses and mules
- 7: small animals: asses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs
- 8: Fish and fowl: Chicken, doves, thrushes, peacocks, Numidian chicken and guinea fowl, geese, ducks, fish ponds
- 9: wild animals: enclosures for wild animals, bee-keeping, production of honey and wax
- 10: gardens
- personnel management
- calendars
- managing the household
Other Roman writers on agriculture include Varro, Palladius and Tremelius Scrofa.
Pliny the Elder's Natural History gives some information as well. Diocletian's edict informs us on prices for agricultural products in the later empire.
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