ANCIENT GREEK AND ROMAN VINICULTURE IN ASIA MINOR

Abstract

Recent archaeological discoveries as well as molecular and DNA investigations show that the earliest stages of vinicultural history and prehistory extends back into the Neolithic period and beyond. The first domesticators of the Eurasian wine and early winemakers must have marveled at the seemingly miraculous process of fermentation. From success to success, viniculture stretched out its tentacles and entwined itself with one culture after another (whether Egyptian, Iranian, Israelite or Greek) and laid the foundation for civilization itself. As medicine, social lubricant, mind-altering substance, and highly valued commodity, wine became the focus of religious cults, pharmacopoeias, cuisines, economies, and society. The influence of wine in ancient Greece helped Greeks trade with neighbouring countries and regions. Many mannerisms and cultural aspects were associated with wine. The ancient Greeks pioneered new methods of viticulture and wine production that they shared with early winemaking communities in what are now France, Italy, Austria and Russia, as well as others, through trade and colonization. Ancient Rome played a pivotal role in the history of wine, too. The rise of the Roman Empire saw both technological advances in and burgeoning awareness of winemaking. To ensure the steady supply of wine to Roman soldiers and colonists, viticulture and wine production spread to every part of the empire. Many of the techniques and principles first developed in ancient Roman times can be found in modern winemaking. Since the 9th millenium B.C. viniculture had a significant history in Asia Minor. In this paper vinicul-ture in Graeco-Roman Asia Minor will be examined in three geographic portions: western, southern and northern parts of Anatolian peninsula. A special attention will be given to the trade At the end of the paper Armenian tradition of viniculture in Asia Minor is referred.

Özet

Bu makalede Anadolu’da Hellen ve Roma Dönemlerinde bağcılık ve şarapçılık farklı yönleriyle ele alınmıştır. Konuyu irdeleyen bir giriş yapıldıktan sonra, Eskiçağ’da Anadolu’nun batı, güney ve kuzey bölgelerinde gerçekleştirilen bağcılık faaliyetleri ele alınmış, son bölümde ise amphoralar tanıtılmıştır. Makalenin sonundaki kısa bölümde ise Ermeni kültüründe üzüm konusu üzerine durulmuştur.