Supplying Wine for the Army in Early Roman Egypt

At the time of Octavian’s conquest of Ptolemaic Egypt, vineyards were already found in many locations throughout the Nile Valley. However, the integration of this province into the Roman Empire brought about an increase in the volume of wine production and changes in the geographic distribution of vineyards. Among the factors that contributed to this was the arrival of new wine-consuming groups, including the Roman army. In my talk I will attempt to shed light on the ways in which the need to supply wine for the Roman army affected Egyptian manufacture of this commodity and triggered changes in the local economy through the Early Imperial period. I will discuss the supply lines along which wine reached garrisons in the Eastern Desert and on the Nubian border, as well as the delivery procedures involved. I will argue that the stationing of military units in Egypt had a significant influence on the development of local wine production.

There will be a reception folowing the event.

This is a public event.

To RSVP, please email isaw@nyu.edu.