The Rise of the Roman Empire (Full Episode) | Drain the Oceans

National Geographic・2 minutes read

Rome's power and success were tied to its control of the sea for feeding its massive population, with a lost port near the Tiber River playing a crucial role in its grain supply chain. Discoveries of well-preserved Roman vessels and ingots shed light on ancient trade routes and the importance of maritime commerce in sustaining Rome.

Insights

  • Rome's ability to sustain its massive population of 1 million in the first century AD was heavily reliant on the control of the sea for the transportation of 150 to 300 million tons of grain annually.
  • The discovery of well-preserved Roman vessels and ingots, along with the engineering feat of the harbor of Caesarea Maritima, highlights the crucial role of maritime commerce and Roman innovation in maintaining Rome's power and dominance in trade.

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Recent questions

  • How did Rome sustain its massive population?

    Through control of sea for grain supply.

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Summary

00:00

Lost Roman Port: Key to Feeding Rome

  • Rome's power and success were deeply tied to its control of the sea, crucial for feeding its massive population.
  • The city of Rome, with a population of 1 million by the first century AD, required 150 to 300 million tons of grain annually to sustain itself.
  • The location of a lost port near the mouth of the Tiber River, established by Emperor Claudius and expanded by Emperor Trajan, played a vital role in Rome's grain supply chain.
  • Archaeologists are piecing together the mystery of the lost port, focusing on clues like a hexagonal basin and a carved relief hinting at its grandeur.
  • The discovery of well-preserved Roman vessels buried inland near the hexagonal basin sheds light on the port's operations and the transportation of goods.
  • The hexagonal basin, once thought to be a natural lake, is revealed to be a purpose-built facility for storing grain and managing cargo ships.
  • A complex canal system connected the port to the Tiber River, allowing cargo-carrying vessels to navigate the shallow waters and reach Rome.
  • The hexagonal basin at the port of Pisis served as the final link in the supply chain, showcasing Rome's mastery of the seas and its ability to feed its population.
  • The discovery of a Roman shipwreck named Bfer off the coast of Spain reveals a large cargo ship carrying amphorae filled with fish sauce, a popular Roman condiment.
  • The Bfer's cargo of fish sauce, likely from the south of Spain, provides insight into the ancient trade routes and the importance of maritime commerce in sustaining Rome.

27:25

Roman Shipwreck Reveals Emperor's Lead Ingots

  • The team discovers 22 ingots from a wreck, each weighing 140 lb, marked with the letters IM, indicating they belong to the emperor.
  • The ingots are made of lead, not gold or silver, and are likely destined for Emperor Nero's palace, the Domus Aurea.
  • Two coins found among the cargo are dated around AD 66, during Nero's reign, linking the wreck to the time of the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64.
  • The wreck, named the Bow Forer, likely sank before Nero's death in AD 68 due to a storm causing the cargo to shift, making the vessel impossible to steer.
  • The harbor of Caesarea Maritima, a Roman trade hub, was a monumental engineering feat constructed over 2,000 years ago.
  • The harbor's construction involved the use of hydraulic concrete, a Roman innovation using volcanic ash from Italy, creating solid concrete blocks underwater.
  • The harbor's collapse, possibly due to a tsunami in AD 115, led to its ruins lying shattered on the seafloor, reducing it from its former glory.
  • The Romans' mastery of concrete allowed them to establish ports and harbors across the Mediterranean, solidifying their dominance in trade and sea power.
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