engleski

Roman Maritime Villas in Dalmatia and Istria

In his recent comprehensive study Xavier Lafon (2001.) has defined the historical phenomenon of the Roman maritime villas and has presented their origin and development. The villas on the Tyrrehenian litoral are the best known not only from literary and documentary sources but also from archaeological research. elevated and seaside villas were transplanted from Italy onto the eastern Adriatic coast and the islands in the process of Roman settlement, beginning in the time of Caesar. The economic development of principal port cities and colonies especially stimulated the building of maritime villas. In some areas such villas marked the beginning of coastal settlement and their study is the key to understanding social. economic and environ mental changes. Our topographic and architectural studies of maritime villas in different geographic zones of Dalmatia and Istria have led to inquiries into the development, function and organization of the villas. The chronology of the first phases is clear only in rare cases, but there is indication that the Tyrrhenian development of coastal villas into tru maritimw villas is parallel in the Adriatic region. Villa plans are indicative of the social structure of the proprietors and their economic and intellectual life. However, the distinction between leisure villas and those that were centers of a productive estate was difficult in the absence of clear indicators, such as production and storage facilities. in late antiquity the economic and strategic function, especially of villas on the shipping routes, was essential.

Roman maritime villas; 1st - 4th ct.; East Adriatic coast; piscina vivaria

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