Annona

C'è una seconda trincea nella grande guerra, quella del fronte interno, la cui vicenda si può ricostruire soltanto adottando metodi tipici della storia sociale, in particolare di quel settore della storia sociale che riguarda l'alimentazione.

En este trabajo nos proponemos analizar las recientes investigaciones arqueológicas relativas al transporte marítimo de grano en época romana, tratando de indicar a su vez las limitaciones de estas fuentes de información. Los resultados de los análisis arqueobotánicos realizados en los últimos años nos informan principalmente de la importación de grano, así como de los insectos asociados que, bien por encontrarse en los propios pecios o en los lugares de recepción de los alimentos, nos permiten deducir su transporte por vía marítima. También el avance de los trabajos enmarcados en la denominada Arqueología Náutica nos brinda la oportunidad de conocer las embarcaciones y las operaciones de trasbordo de los grandes navíos cargueros que surcaban los mares, a partir del estudio de los pecios y las estructuras portuarias descubiertas. Por otro lado, los problemas de conservación y documentación de los alimentos que viajaban a bordo de los barcos nos obligan a recurrir a fuentes indirectas que nos hablan del transporte marítimo de diferentes tipos de grano. En este sentido, trataremos de analizar la información procedente de los lugares de recepción que, dotados de enormes horrea, estratégicamente situados en zonas costeras, nos advierten de la existencia de un transporte de grano importado por vía marítima, especialmente durante las operaciones militares de conquista, hipótesis que se ha podido corroborar gracias a los recientes análisis arqueobotánicos.

The book attempts to present –for the first time in the international bibliography– a detailed description of the historical life of Abydos (Άβυδος) of Hellespont (Ελλήσποντος, Δαρδανέλλια); the latter was an important ancient and medieval Greek city, situated on the Asiatic shore of Dardanelles, at the once narrowest part of the local Straits (usually named "Stenon of Abydos") and in the surrounding area of the promontory of Nara (an Ottoman and modern Turkish naval base, where free access is prohibited). The monograph also detects the  relations between Abydos and other known settlements in the wider region of northwestern Asia Minor (Troad, Hellespont, Mysia, Hellespontine Phrygia).

Αbydos was founded predominantly as a colony of Miletus (ca. 680-650 BC) and had a continuous historical life that lasted about 2.000 years (mid. 7th c. BC - early 14th c. AD). The prosperous ancient city minted various coins between 6th c. BC - 3rd c. AD. Its lively port was used for centuries as a key point for the passage from Europe to Asia and the cruise from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea (and vice versa) as well as a major customs station ("telonion Abydou" during the Roman imperial years, "demosion teloneion" or "kommerkion" or "dekateuterion Abydou" during the medieval period of the city). Byzantine Abydos was also an important administrative center, a military and naval base and an ecclesiastical seat (bishopric and later metropolis).

However, the long and turbulent history of Abydos and its region is virtually unknown in modern years, despite the fact that the city's reputation was particularly widespread during ancient and medieval times in the Mediterranean world. Moreover, for many reasons noted in the book, the settlement does not exist archaeologically in the last two centuries. In short, Abydos constitutes a very interesting case of a virtually lost city during the modern times.

For various reasons, also described in the book, the importance of Abydos had declined during the 13th c. AD and the city was finally abandoned by its population in the early 14th c. AD., mainly because of the Turkish threat in the area. From mid. 15th c. AD the new city of Çanakkale was established gradually (initially named as Kale-i Sultaniye) 5-6 km to the south of Abydos. The ruins of the abandoned urban area of ​​the latter have been systematically pillaged -mainly for construction and other purposes- between the 14th - early 19th c. AD.

For the reconstruction of  the long historical life of Abydos (mid. 7th c. BC - early 14th c. AD) and an in-depth analysis of its numerous and largely unknown institutions, the study relies though on the information providing by the written (ancient and medieval) texts but also on the scarce and dispersed epigraphic and the much richer numismatic (the city minted coins between 6th c. BC - 3rd c. AD) and sigillographic data and other archaeological findings regarding (or deriving from) the city. It also takes into account all the contemporary related publications.

[VANIAS publications,  Thessaloniki 2017,  752 pages,  ISBN: 978-960-288-342-6,  text in Greek language with an English summary]

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A partir de los sellos en ánforas olearias béticas halladas en algunos campamentos romanos, el autor se plantea problemas más generales sobre la organización del abastecimiento del ejército romano. Se defiende en esta obra una nueva interpretación de la función de la praefectura annonae, que se ocupaba, no sólo del control del grano para las frumentationes, como se venía defendiendo hasta ahora, sinó de la regulación de los precios en Roma y del control de todos los productos, pagados como impuestos, destinados al ejército y a la administración romana. Se supera en este trabajo la dicotomía teórica entre primitivistas y modernistas en la interpretación de la economía romana: el Imperio Romano encontró, a pesar de sus limites financieros, un sistema que le permitieron crear grandes corrientes de intercambios entre regiones muy alejadas del Imperio Romano.

Català
A partir dels segells en àmfores oleàrias bèticas trobades en alguns campaments romans, l'autor es planteja problemes més generals sobre l'organització de l'abastiment de l'exèrcit romà. Es proposa en aquesta obra una nova interpretació de la funció de la praefectura annonae, que s'ocupava, no només del control del gra per les frumentationes, com es defensava fins ara, sinó de la regulació dels preus a Roma i del control de tots els productes, pagats com a impostos, destinats a l'exèrcit i a la administració romana. Es supera en aquest treball la dicotomia teòrica entre primitivistes i modernistes en la interpretació de l'economia romana: l'Imperi Romà trobà, malgrat els seus límits financers, un sistema que li va permetre crear grans corrents d'intercanvis entre regions molt allunyades.

English
This author discusses general problems on the organization of the supply for the Roman army, on the basis of stamps on Baetican amphorae found in a set of Roman military camps. He puts forward a new theory on the function of the praefectura annonae, that was responsible, apart from the grain control in the frumentationes, for price regulations in staples and the control of other products payed in taxes, which were used to supply the Roman army and administration. He overcomes the endless discussion between primitivist and modernist approaches in the interpretation of the Roman economy, defining an institution through which the Roman Empire managed to foster long-distance exchange despite its financial constrains.

The crisis of the 3rd century AD stimulated also in Italy temporary and partial answers to urgent problems, before the institution of the provinces (293 AD). In Thugga an eques, A. Vitellius Felix Honoratus, whose cursus honorum took place between 253 and 265 AD, was celebrated in 265/267 AD by his fellow citizens. He was advocatus fisci for the vehiculatio along the Flaminia, Transpadana, Noricum roads; advocatus fisci for imperial properties in Proconsularis and Numidia; praepositus for the regions of central and southern Italy with the task of managing the annona for Gallienus’ army. His career bears witness to the growth and differentiation of the tax burden especially in Italy. From 260 AD the Po valley had logistical needs similar to those of cities in provinces with a high military presence, and Rome was a megalopolis full of needs. Some coeval epigraphic sources (three praepositi for the security of the Adriatic and southern regions of Italy) and literary sources of senatorial tendency testify to the suffering of the rural populations of southern Italy and Sicily, but also of the plebs of Rome, during the reign of Gallienus. Aurelius Victor describes the bloody revenge of the Senate and the plebs of Rome against Gallienus’ supporters in the capital, and in particular against one of his (anonymous) advocatus fisci. An examination of these sources suggests quite traumatic administrative changes, entrusted to equites in Italy in the years 250s and 260s AD.

Resumo y amplío los resultados de mi experiencia como historiador en relación con el comercio de productos envasados en ánforas durante la etapa del Imperio Romano. Queda abierta esta ponencia a la opinión pública, como lo estuvo en su día de forma presencial, en espera de mejores tiempos para su publicación.

On the basis of «The Achievements of the Divine Augustus» the author analyses the significance of the legacy of populares, one of the main political movements in the Late Republic, in the politics of Emperor Augustus. The main features of this political movement, in the opinion of modern researchers, were their demagogic political style, their assertion of the sovereignty of Roman people and their protection of economic interests of the lower classes. In the RGDA there is no mention of the odious political methods of the populares that entailed conflicts and unrest but the text significantly dwells on the tribunician power granted to Augustus. In the Late Republic the tribunician power served as the basis of the populares’ political method. The ideology reflected in the RGDA entrusts the Roman people with an important role in the public administration and describes the Roman people as a full-fledged partner of the Senate, however it lacks the populares’ contraposition of the Roman people to the Senate (or to the oligarchy controlling the Senate). The populares’ legacy is particularly apparent in the RGDA chapters describing Augustus’ expenses in favor of the Roman people such as the organisation of various social measures, shows and public building. Augustus inherited from the populares of the Late Republic the idea of Roman plebs as a source of political power and of satisfaction of its interest as a mechanism of maintaining political stability, but discarded those of populares slogans and methods that had a conflict potential.

A lo largo de los dos primeros siglos del Imperio, los emperadores romanos intentaron asegurar el abastecimiento de toda la población de la ciudad de Roma para evitar subleva-ciones que pudieran alterar el orden político establecido, aunque en ocasiones no pudieron evitar que el caos se adueñara de la ciudad. In the first two centuries of the Empire, Roman emperors tried to ensure the supply of Rome's population to prevent revolts that could disturb public order, although sometimes they allowed chaos to govern the city.

The last day of the year 406, Sueves, Vandals and Alans crossed the Rhin. On this paper I reassess the traditional historiographical view on this issue and I offer an alternative view of the sources that described this penetration, placing particular emphasis on the analysis of the contemporary rupture of the maritime frontier on North Western Roman.

Annona is a genus of Annona species are tap rooted, evergreen or semi deciduous, tropical trees.
Annona specie is largest genus in the family Annonaceae, which containing approximately 60 species.
Annona species are native to tropical region like tropical America and eastern Africa, subtropical or tropical highland conditions; like East Africa and Asia, also, few species found in temperate regions, the origin of most of the species is South America, the Antilles, and Africa.
The current distribution of these five species covers almost all continents, with soursop and sugar apple showing the widest distribution, mainly in tropical regions

Background. Annona muricata L. has been reported to possess antitumor and antiproliferative properties. Not much work has been done on its effect on BPH-1 cell lines, and no in vivo studies targeting the prostate organ exist. The study determined the effect of A muricata on human BPH-1 cells and prostate organ. Methods. The MTT assay was performed on BPH-1 cells using the aqueous leaf extract of A muricata. Cells (1 × 105 per well) were challenged with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/mL extract for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell proliferation and morphology were examined microscopically. BPH-1 cells (1 × 104 per well) were seeded into 6-well plates and incubated for 48 hours with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/mL A muricata extract. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed using mRNA extracted from the cells. Possible target genes, Bax and Bcl-2, were examined. Twenty F344 male rats (≈200 g) were gavaged 30 mg/mL (10 rats) and 300 mg/mL (10 rats) and fed ad libitum alongside 10 control ...

Annona muricata (A. muricata) is widely distributed in Asia, Africa and South America. Different parts of this plant are used to treat several diseases in Cameroon. The aim of this study is to determine the in vitro anti-proliferative effects and apoptotic events of A. muricata extracts on HL-60 cells as well as to quantify its phenols content. The cell viability was measured by using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while the changes in morphology of HL-60 cells, membrane mitochondrial potential (MMP) and the cell cycle were used for assessment apoptosis induction. The results show that the concentration of phenols, flavonoids and flavonols in the extracts varied depending on the part of the plant. All the extracts tested inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 varied from 6-49 μg/mL. The growth inhibition of the cells by extracts was associated with the disruption of MMP, reactive oxygen spe...

This article studies the organization and procedures of the so-called Cheirismos of Neapolis.  As the "cheïrismos at Neapolis" it is  a place for delivery of imperial grain at Alexandria; as the "Cheirismos of Neapolis" it is a service at the orders of the procurator of Neapolis, which organizes transportation of grain only between local granaries and the transhipment area between river-borne transport and maritime transport of grain for the service of the annona. Being a naukleros of the cheïrismos of Neapolis, was not membership but a status confered to entrepreneurs under contract for the transportation of grain to Alexandria on behalf of the procurator of Neapolis. They operated very large fleet whose tonnage meets with the requirements required to enjoy the privileges given to the maritime shippers of annona. As the maritime shippers of annona, they were probably organized under the form of an association.

A polyphenol-enriched fraction from Annona crassiflora fruit peel (Ac-Pef) containing chlorogenic acid, (epi)catechin, procyanidin B2, and caffeoyl-glucoside was investigated against hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Serum biochemical parameters, hepatic oxidative and nitrosative status, glutathione defense system analysis, and in silico assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of the main compounds of Ac-Pef were carried out. Ac-Pef treatment during 30 days decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and nitration, inducible nitric oxide synthase level, and activities and expressions of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. There were increases in antioxidant capacity, glutathione reductase activity, and reduced glutathione level. ADMET predictions ...

Este volumen es el resultado del trabajo realizado, durante varios años, por el grupo CEIPAC consistente en el estudio del material anfórico hallado en la Colonia Ulpia Traiana (Xanten, Alemania). Se han estudiado más de dieciocho mil fragmentos de ánforas hallados en las excavaciones realizadas en la ciudad a lo largo de casi un siglo, lo que ha permitido definir el comercio de alimentos que se estableció entre una ciudad de la frontera renana y las regiones del Mediterráneo. Junto al análisis del material hallado en la ciudad, se presenta el estado actual de la investigación de cada uno de los tipos anfóricos y se pone a disposición del lector, junto a la información puntual sobre la presencia de un determinado tipo anfórico, una información general que le permite contextualizar mejor los datos obtenidos. La obra tiene dos aspectos diversos: uno, el que se refiere al estudio del lugar concreto de hallazgo de nuestras ánforas, lo que permite ayudar a datar algunos estratos arqueológicos y a estudiar la distribución espacial de las ánforas en la ciudad. El segundo aspecto, más interesante a nivel general, es haber delimitado qué productos vienen de qué zona del Mediterráneo, en qué momento y en qué proporción. En síntesis, podemos concluir que existe una corriente de comercio entre todas las regiones del Mediterráneo y la ciudad de Xanten en época julio-claudia, y que a partir de época Flavia las relaciones comerciales se intensifican y casi se convierten en exclusivas entre Xanten y las provincias romanas de Gallia e Hispania. Lo cual conduce a una discusión sobre el significado de la influencia del estado romano en la distribución de productos alimentarios, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta la población militar de la región. Además, se presentan claves para el estudio de las redes comerciales entre Germania y las provincias mediterráneas, se discute el camino entre el Mediterráneo y la frontera, y se defiende la importancia de la ruta atlántica en contraposición a la vía del Ródano, que, tradicionalmente, se consideraba como la más importante.

In 2008/09 an inscription was found in Ostia, engraved on a statue base in honour of a Caesar named Maximianus. It was reused under the new portico of access to the 'Forum of the Heroic Statue'. It was dedicated by Manilius Rusticianus prefect of the annona. The editors (2011) identified the Caesar with Maximianus Herculius and dated the epigraph to 285 AD. We propose the identification of the honoured Caesar with Galerius (293/305 AD). The base was probably removed from the public space on the occasion of the failed military campaign of Galerius Augustus against Maxentius in 307 AD and later reused as a foundation block. The base is the fourth surviving epigraphic evidence of the activity of the knight Manilius Rusticianus at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, and the second evidence of his prefecture of the annona. For Rusticianus remains the base of the equestrian honorary monument in the forum of Ostia, and two bases raised by Rusticianus praetorian prefect  in AD 311 in the Roman Forum in honour of Maxentius.

Il progetto riguarda una ricerca in corso sulla vicenda del sistema annonario di Padova tra Quattro e Cinquecento, quale indice della dinamica "città/campagna" nella cornice dello stato territoriale veneziano. L'ipotesi di lavoro e' che la vicenda annonaria, segnate dal trend ascendente della 'carestia', avessero a che vedere, oltreché con la variabile-clima, con dei processi quali la polarizzazione delle risorse agrarie e l'intensa commercializzazione delle stesse. Un'analisi insieme puntuale ed organica di tali processi può forse una chiave d'accesso alla sfuggente "transizione" della società' proto-moderna.

Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) has an exceptional flavor and aroma, which makes it a fruit with great potential. However, little is known about its propagation by seeds. According to the scientific literature, the germination of cherimoya seeds is affected much more by external conditions than by internal conditions. Germination of cherimoya variety 'Concha Lisa' were tested for germination at constant temperatures of 25, 30, 40°C, and at room temperature, varying from 20-25°C, coupled with total darkness. Seeds were sown in Petri dishes (0.8% agar water), for 25 days of incubation. The kinetics of germination was determined according to five closely related parameters, viz. final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), time to 50% germination (T50) and seedling length (SL). The temperature of 30°C was found optimally suitable with 70.8% FGP, 17.5 days MGT and 3.91 cm SL, while the room temperature of 20-25°C slightly improved germination with only 25% FGP. Furthermore, significant decrease in FGP and SL was observed at 25°C and 40°C of temperature in comparison to 30°C. The analysis also revealed that cherimoya seed germination, day 10-15 after seed sowing is suitable for final counts. An overview on the emergence of cherimoya seedlings, during a 12-week period in pots is presented.

In the Ancient World, the concept of agrarian policy, as we may understand it today in the European Union, did not exist, but thanks to the legislative measures passed by the Roman emperors, we can infer what ideas inspired these laws and what they aimed at achieving. 
 
The demand for food by the Roman army and the people of Rome stimulated the agrarian policy of the roman emperors. Confronted with the need to increase productivity, and given the new technological advances that would aid this, they opted to expand arable land through fiscal concessions, offering, in the case of North Africa, perpetual beneficial ownership, in effect almost a property, to the coloni farming the domains of the emperor.

Nevertheless, these measures were manifested differently, according to the provinces where they were put in practice. The social, economic, historical, political, and legal situations were not the same in each one and Rome adapted its needs in function of the available possibilities. The main exponents of this agrarian policy in the west were the Alimenta for Italy and the various legal dispositions known for Proconsular Africa, such as the lex Manciana, the lex Hadriana or the laws of Pertinax. The situation in the east was different. The city-states of the Graeco-Hellenistic world were not only relevant politically, but also in the way they supplied for their population. This was especially true of Egypt, which in theory was the emperor’s property, where production methods in agriculture were different to those of the rest of the Mediterranean thanks to the Nile.

Food supply for the army and the Roman plebs, principally wheat, was in the hands of an institution known as Annona. This service, organization or institution, mainly oversaw the adequate supply of the city of Rome (annona civica) and of the army (annona militaris). Both were the beneficiaries of the redistribution system promoted by the emperors, therefore from the agrarian policy of the roman emperors. It was at the same time its cause and effect; it’s correct functioning depended in first instance from the Annona’s possibilities of accessing the sufficient resources needed for the supply of the Roman plebs and the army stationed in the limes.

By controlling the supply of the army and the idle plebs in Rome, the Roman emperors safeguarded the basic pillars, which supported their power.

En el mundo antiguo no existía el concepto de política agrícola común como existe hoy en día en la Unión Europea, pero gracias a las distintas medidas legislativas promulgadas por los emperadores romanos, podemos inferir cuáles fueron las ideas que inspiraron esas leyes, así como los objetivos que se pretendían alcanzar.

La demanda de recursos alimenticios por parte del ejército y la plebe de Roma estimularon la política agraria de los emperadores romanos, quienes para conseguir un aumento de la productividad y ante la inexistencia de avances tecnológicos que permitiesen una explotación más rentable de la tierra, optaron por la extensión de la superficie cultivable mediante la concesión de exenciones fiscales, ofreciendo, en el caso de los dominios africanos, el usufructo perpetuo, la quasi-propiedad a los coloni campesinos que habitaban en los dominios propiedad del emperador.

No obstante, estas medidas tienen manifestaciones diferentes según las provincias donde se desarrollen, puesto que las condiciones sociales, económicas, históricas, políticas y jurídicas no son iguales en cada una, y Roma adapta sus necesidades en función de las posibilidades de que dispone. Las principales expresiones de esta política agraria en la parte occidental del Imperio son los Alimenta para Italia, y las distintas medidas legislativas que conocemos para el África Proconsular como la lex Manciana, la lex Hadriana, o la legislación de Pértinax. La situación para la parte oriental es diferente, debido a la histórica presencia de ciudades autónomas en el mundo grecohelenístico, no sólo desde el punto de vista político, sino también desde el punto de vista de su abastecimiento, y a la situación especial de la provincia de Egipto, teóricamente propiedad del emperador y con unos métodos de producción agrícola completamente distintos a los del resto del Mediterráneo gracias al río Nilo.

El control de los productos alimenticios, principalmente trigo, para el proveimiento del ejército y de la plebe romana estaba en manos de una institución conocida como Annona. Dicho servicio, organización, institución, tenía como función principal velar por el correcto abastecimiento de la ciudad de Roma (annona civica) y del ejército (annona militaris), ya que ambos son los principales beneficiarios del sistema redistributivo promovido por los emperadores, quienes utilizan los recursos excedentarios producidos en las distintas provincias del Imperio en su propio beneficio. Por lo tanto, se va a beneficiar enormemente de la política agraria de los emperadores romanos, ya que a su vez es causa y efecto de la misma, en el sentido de que su correcto funcionamiento depende en primera medida de que la Annona tenga a su disposición la posibilidad de acceder a los recursos suficientes, que se necesitaban para el abastecimiento tanto de la plebe romana como del ejército situado en el limes.

Controlando el abastecimiento del ejército y de la ociosa plebe de Roma, los emperadores romanos se aseguraban la sumisión de los dos pilares fundamentales sobre los que asentaban su poder.