Wine in Tripolitania during the Roman Era: A Historical and Archaeological Study on Wine Production and Trade

Abstract

This study examines wine production in Roman Tripolitania through a combined historical and archaeological approach, focusing on its economic, social, and commercial significance. The research aims to analyze viticulture practices, production techniques, and trade networks associated with Tripolitanian wine. Methodologically, it integrates classical literary sources, particularly Pliny the Elder, with archaeological evidence such as wine presses, amphorae, glassware, mosaics, and inscriptions, supported by regional comparison with other Roman North African provinces. The findings demonstrate that Tripolitania benefited from favorable environmental conditions that encouraged large-scale viticulture within organized rural estates. Wine production was technologically advanced and institutionally regulated, supported by water infrastructure and standardized containers. Archaeological discoveries of Tripolitanian amphorae in Sicily, Malta, and southern Italy confirm that wine was produced beyond local consumption and actively traded across the Mediterranean. The study concludes that wine represented a strategic commodity that contributed significantly to regional prosperity and integrated Tripolitania into the wider Roman imperial economy.