Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History
Marcus Aurelius and the Price of Grain
While Marcus Aurelius is often remembered for his Stoic meditations and battles on the Danube, this episode explores a quieter but equally vital crisis: the supply lines that kept Rome fed. We trace the journey of grain from Egypt and North Africa to the port of Ostia, examining how the emperor managed the complex bureaucracy of the annona. The narrative focuses on specific logistical challenges, including the role of the curator annonae and the devastating impact of the Antonine Plague on shipping networks. Through the lens of legal papyri and archaeological evidence from the harbor…
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