Rivers and the Power of Ancient Rome (Studies in the History of Greece and Rome)

Figuring in myth, religion, law, the military, commerce, and transportation, rivers were at the heart of Rome's increasing exploitation of the environment of the Mediterranean world. In __Rivers and the Power of Ancient Rome__, Brian Campbell explores the role and influence of rivers and their surrounding landscape on the society and culture of the Roman Empire. Examining artistic representations of rivers, related architecture, and the work of ancient geographers and topographers, as well as writers who describe rivers, Campbell reveals how Romans defined the geographical areas they conquered and how geography and natural surroundings related to their society and activities. In addition, he illuminates the prominence and value of rivers in the control and expansion of the Roman Empire--through the legal regulation of riverine activities, the exploitation of rivers in military tactics, and the use of rivers as routes of communication and movement. Campbell shows how a technological understanding of--and even mastery over--the forces of the river helped Rome rise to its central place in the ancient world. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Cover 1 Contents 8 Preface 14 ONE. RIVERS PAST AND PRESENT 22 1. The Hydrological Cycle and River Dynamics 25 2. Changes in the Riverine Environment 30 3. The Watery Origins of Rome 34 4. The Geographical Setting 43 5. Problems and Approaches 51 TWO. PUTTING RIVERS ON THE MAP 66 1. Geographical Writing 67 2. Space, Measurement, and Location 74 3. Demarcating Provincial Boundaries 83 4. Riverine Identity and Cultural Affinity 85 5. Geographical Descriptions 91 6. Creating Maps 99 7. Conclusion: “The boon of a water supply” 102 THREE. RIVERS, LANDS, AND LAWS 104 1. Definitions 107 2. The Res Publica and Water Rights 111 3. Boundaries 119 4. Managing Disruption 121 5. Alluvial Activity and River Islands 130 6. Conclusion: Managing Rivers for the Community 137 FOUR. RIVERS IN LITERATURE, RELIGION, AND ART 139 1. The Hydrological Cycle and Human Life 141 2. The Riverine Environment 143 3. Status, Character, and Identity 147 4. Divine Rivers and Springs 149 5. The Tiber 161 6. Riverine Legends 164 7. Art 171 8. Conclusion: “A steady column of sweet fluid” 180 FIVE. RIVERS, ARMIES, FLEETS, AND FRONTIERS 181 1. Military Tactics 182 2. Settlements and Military Bases 188 3. Military Supply 198 4. River Fleets of the Imperial Period 201 5. Frontiers 207 6. Conclusion: Rivers in the Service of Rome 218 SIX. EXPLOITING RIVERS 221 1. Navigable Rivers: Characteristics and Problems 222 2. Ancient Writing on Navigable Rivers 224 3. Riverboats 229 4. Road and River Transport 236 5. Rivers, Roads, and Bridges 239 6. Regulating the Flow: Canals and Dams 240 7. The Riverine Environment: Water Mills, Irrigation, Drainage, and Wetlands 250 8. Aqueducts 256 9. Rome and the Distribution of Water 260 10. Conclusion: “A most gentle trader in all the earth’s produce” 265 SEVEN. MOVEMENT OF GOODS BY RIVER (1): SPAIN, GAUL, THE RHINE, AND BRITAIN 267 1. The Spanish Provinces 268 2. The Gallic Provinces 284 3. Along the Rhine 300 4. Britain 310 EIGHT. MOVEMENT OF GOODS BY RIVER (2): THE DANUBE, ITALY, AND THE EAST 312 1. The Danube and Its Environs 312 2. Italy: Arnus, Liris, Volturnus 321 3. Italy: The Padus and Cisalpina 323 4. Italy: The Tiber Valley 330 5. The Eastern Provinces 341 6. Conclusion: River Connections 349 NINE. HEALING WATERS: RIVERS, SPRINGS, RELAXATION, AND HEALTH 351 1. Relaxing Waters 352 2. Boating, Swimming, and Fishing 353 3. Healing Waters and Aelius Aristides 358 4. Healing Waters: Vitruvius, Pliny, and Pausanias 359 5. Healing Waters: The Medical View 364 6. Healing Waters: The Popular View 365 7. Spas (Aquae): The Evidence 368 8. Types of Treatment 372 9. Spas, Routes, and Itineraries 376 10. Fashionable Spa Resorts 380 11. Management of Spas 387 12. Conclusion: “As long as a man is at the waters he is never dead” 388 TEN. ROME IN CONTROL OF THE WATERS 390 1. Rivers as Symbols: Conquest 391 2. Rivers as Symbols: Cooperation 400 3. Reversal of Fortune 404 4. Epilogue: “The Romans always win” 406 Abbreviations 410 Appendix 1. Spas in the Roman World 414 Appendix 2. Navigable Rivers according to Ancient Authors 426 Notes 432 Bibliography 528 Index of Persons 580 A 580 B 581 C 581 D 582 E 582 F 582 G 582 H 582 I 583 J 583 K 583 L 583 M 584 N 584 O 584 P 584 Q 585 R 585 S 585 T 586 U 586 V 586 X 587 Index of Places 588 A 588 B 590 C 590 D 591 E 592 F 592 G 593 H 593 I 593 J 593 K 594 L 594 M 595 N 595 O 596 P 596 Q 597 R 597 S 597 T 599 U 599 V 600 W 600 X 600 Z 600 General Index 602 A 602 B 602 C 602 D 602 E 603 F 603 G 603 H 603 I 603 J 603 K 603 L 603 M 604 N 604 O 604 P 604 Q 604 R 604 S 605 T 605 U 606 V 606 W 606 Y 606 Figuring In Myth, Religion, Law, The Military, Commerce, And Transportation, Rivers Were At The Heart Of Rome's Increasing Exploitation Of The Environment Of The Mediterranean World. In Rivers And The Power Of Ancient Rome, Brian Campbell Explores The Role And Influence Of Rivers And Their Surrounding Landscape On The Society And Culture Of The Roman Empire. Examining Artistic Representations Of Rivers, Related Architecture, And The Work Of Ancient Geographers And Topographers, As Well As Writers Who Describe Rivers, Campbell Reveals How Romans Defined The Geographical Areas They Conquered And How Geography And Natural Surroundings Related To Their Society And Activities. In Addition, He Illuminates The Prominence And Value Of Rivers In The Control And Expansion Of The Roman Empire--through The Legal Regulation Of Riverine Activities, The Exploitation Of Rivers In Military Tactics, And The Use Of Rivers As Routes Of Communication And Movement. Campbell Shows How A Technological Understanding Of--and Even Mastery Over--the Forces Of The River Helped Rome Rise To Its Central Place In The Ancient World-- Rivers Past And Present -- Putting Rivers On The Map -- Rivers, Lands, And Laws -- Rivers In Literature, Religion, And Art -- Rivers, Armies, Fleets, And Frontiers -- Exploiting Rivers -- Movement Of Goods By River (1) : Spain, Gaul, The Rhine, And Britain -- Movement Of Goods By River (2) : The Danube, Italy, And The East -- Healing Waters : Rivers, Springs, Relaxation, And Health -- Rome In Control Of The Waters -- Appendix 1: Spas In The Roman World -- Appendix 2: Navigable Rivers According To Ancient Authors. Brian Campbell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [507]-558) And Indexes.