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Ancient Roman Gardens
This book offers a fascinating new dimension to the history of Roman society and of gardening and horticulture. The author, a classicist and archaeology with a special interest in gardening and garden history, traces the development of Roman gardens from their humble origins as vegetable patches to the sophisticated landscapes of the rich and famous at the height of the Empire. This fully illustrated study features evidence from gardens in Italy and from archaeological sites throughout the countryside with information on literature, frescoes, mosaics, sculptures and architecture to provide a vivid picture of the rich variety of Roman gardens, their common plants and exotic trees and flowers, their splendid arbors, and fanciful sculptures and mosaics. The habits of Roman gardeners, their tools and horticultural techniques and landscape designs complete this classical gardening tour of ancient Rome.
- GenresHistory
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 4, 2020
Farrar has written an insightful analysis of ancient Roman gardens, including their origin, their meaning to the Romans, how they developed through time, and the criteria that made a garden a Roman one. She also provides instructions at the end of the book on how to construct a modern Roman garden.
Romans loved nature from the earliest eras for which we have evidence; however, they generally felt that humans could and should improve on nature; thus, an emphasis on creating and styling gardens. Roman gardens were not an outgrowth of Etruscan or Greek gardens. They differed significantly from both. From the beginning, Roman gardens concentrated on nature, i.e., plants and animals, whereas, Greek "gardens" were usually paved and had few plants. The earliest gardens had a mostly practical purpose, i.e., supply food for the family, but also had an aesthetic purpose. Therefore, there was a heavy concentration of vegetables and herbs. Chickens and perhaps other animals could also be a part of the garden (fenced away from the plants).
As the Roman Republic grew and became more centralized in cities, gardens also transformed. Where finances and space allowed, gardens became more complex and larger. Yet even those who had limited space, would reserve a small area for a garden. The movement toward larger and larger gardens continued into the Empire. Gardens came to include statues, frescos, columns, walls, fountains, fish ponds, aviaries, and more. The aesthetic value of gardens to the Romans is clearly shown in the huge, magnificent gardens built by the wealthiest Romans and gifted to the people.
Farrar thoroughly elucidates the evolution of Roman gardens, the purpose of each item or aspect of gardens, the plants and animals found in gardens, and how the gardens reflected their owners' wealth, power, and aesthetic appreciation of nature and art.
This book is a must read for those interested in ancient Roman history, history of horticulture, and ancient plants. Farrar's book adds to our knowledge of the ancient Romans and helps us to understand them as a people. Gardens were such a big part of a Roman's life that to ignore them seriously limits our ability to understand this culture that still affects the modern western world.
Romans loved nature from the earliest eras for which we have evidence; however, they generally felt that humans could and should improve on nature; thus, an emphasis on creating and styling gardens. Roman gardens were not an outgrowth of Etruscan or Greek gardens. They differed significantly from both. From the beginning, Roman gardens concentrated on nature, i.e., plants and animals, whereas, Greek "gardens" were usually paved and had few plants. The earliest gardens had a mostly practical purpose, i.e., supply food for the family, but also had an aesthetic purpose. Therefore, there was a heavy concentration of vegetables and herbs. Chickens and perhaps other animals could also be a part of the garden (fenced away from the plants).
As the Roman Republic grew and became more centralized in cities, gardens also transformed. Where finances and space allowed, gardens became more complex and larger. Yet even those who had limited space, would reserve a small area for a garden. The movement toward larger and larger gardens continued into the Empire. Gardens came to include statues, frescos, columns, walls, fountains, fish ponds, aviaries, and more. The aesthetic value of gardens to the Romans is clearly shown in the huge, magnificent gardens built by the wealthiest Romans and gifted to the people.
Farrar thoroughly elucidates the evolution of Roman gardens, the purpose of each item or aspect of gardens, the plants and animals found in gardens, and how the gardens reflected their owners' wealth, power, and aesthetic appreciation of nature and art.
This book is a must read for those interested in ancient Roman history, history of horticulture, and ancient plants. Farrar's book adds to our knowledge of the ancient Romans and helps us to understand them as a people. Gardens were such a big part of a Roman's life that to ignore them seriously limits our ability to understand this culture that still affects the modern western world.
March 22, 2007
Go to my webpage: prueter.org. Go to my Latin page, click on books read, go to Roman art or culture. Scroll down and find book. Linda is a wonderful writer.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews