An Environmental and Climate History of the Roman Expansion in Italy
Seth Bernard, Joseph R. McConnell, Federico Di Rita, Fabrizio Michelangeli, Donatella Magri, Laura Sadori, Alessia Masi, Giovanni Zanchetta, Mónica Bini, Alessandra Celant, Angela Trentacoste, Lisa Lodwick, Jeffrey Samuels, Marta Mariotti Lippi, Cristina Bellini, Claudia Paparella, Dan-el Padilla Peralta, James Tan, Peter van Dommelen, Andrea U. De Giorgi, Caroline Cheung
Abstract
Abstract A first synthesis of available data for the period of Rome’s expansion in Italy (about 400–29 b.c.e.) shows the role of climate and environment in early Roman imperialism. Although global indices suggest a warmer phase with relatively few short-term climate events occuring around the same time as the expansion, local data emphasize the highly variable timing and expression of these trends. This variability casts doubt on ideas of a unitary, historically consequential “Roman Warm Period.” The historical importance of climate and environment to socioeconomic development merits emphasis, but should be understood in terms of evolving, contingent forms of resilience and risk-mitigating behavior by Italian communities during Roman expansion.