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The transformation of society and landscape in Roman Istria, 46 B.C.-A.D.70

The period between Caesar and the Flavians witnessed a rapid ascent in economic and political power of the colonial elite in Istria. Originally Italic colonists, those loyal supporters and associates of the Julii, the Antonii, and the Claudii developed economies of scale and through their building programs transformated the city and country landscape in Istria. In the wake of recent scholarship and excavations and our own work on the Brioni villas, we have undertaken a comparative study of urban und rural architecture to reconstruct patterns of transformation. Building activity started with the foundation of the colonies of Tergeste, Pola (both in 46 B.C.), and Parentium (Tiberian period) and the development of villae rusticae in the countryside. The Roman expansion into Noricum and Pannonia, coupled with favorable imperial policies stimulated the economy and propelled some families into the senatorial rank. Luxury building began after Augustus annexed Istria in Regio X, 18-12 B.C. The elite then embellishing their country residences. City buildings related to the imperial cult and Roman lifestyle, while some coastal villae rusticae were expanded into villae urbane and maritimae, in the Campanian fashion. In the next stage, politically mature proprietors, some of them holding highest offices, lavished their attention on their villas. New, post-Augustan architectural designs found their application in maritime villas. City structures were improved and decorated, percheps due to increasing involvement of freedmen, but innovative architecture did not feature in the cities.

Roman Istria; 46 B.C.-A.D. 70; Roman colonies; Roman Villas; society; economic and political power; landscape

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