engleski

The role of maritime villas in seafaring in the Adriatic

Maritime villas visibly stood out in the landscape and were important, marked orientation points. They had watchtowers (mentioned by Pliny the Younger) with panoramic views, from which maritime routes and the channels between the islands and mailand could be controlled. In addition to their economic and residential purpose, they also played an important role in navigation in general along the eastern Adriatic coast. Villas had safe and protected ports, supplies of food and water for ships and facilities for repairing vessels and ship equipment. Port for ships in transit were located at a certain distance from the villa. In the firstcenturies of Roman rule, luxury villas were built by senatorial families and high-ranking commanders of the Roman military, especially the navy. Villas were linked with urban centres, with which they formed a network of navigation and stopping points. They were located in strategically important places on maritime routes and played an role in signaling as we can see from the Roman wall paintings (maritime villas with light houses) from Pompeii and Stabiae. There was an important difference in the use of maritime villas in the Early Empire with their strong economic role, as opposed to Late Antiquity, when their defense role was essential. In the Late Antiquity villas played an role in securing the vitally important navigation routes in Adriatic and in supplying and accommodating military units.

maritime villas; 1th-6th century; Roman Empire; strategic role; maritime routes; eastern Adriatic coast

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