HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION ii 



excellence/ \vas tlic rose; thi=^ was trained in trellises or pergolas, or in beds in the 'rosarium.' It 

 was the flower principally used in the making of garlands, and the exprc:3sion 'sub rusa' bears 

 testimony to this fact. The demand for roses was so cxxessivc that they are said to h;L\-c been 

 supplied from Egypt specially packed for transit. They also came from Psestum, and the lowlands 

 bordering the Gulf of Salerno, where two crops were produced annually. Besides the rose, the 

 principal flowers culti\-ated were the narcissus, lily, gladiolus, iris, poppy, amaranth, hyacinth, 

 anemone, periwinkle, con\'ol\'ulus, cornn(.)wer, cyclamen, acanthus, cranesbill, and probably the 

 chrysanthemum and flowering shrubs such as the oleander, the flowering willo\\-, and the rhodo- 

 dendron, and many of the flowering fruit-trees, ineludhig the gorgeous pomegranate. Perfumes were 

 derived from specially culti\-ated flowers and from simple, burnt laurel, verbena and juniper. As 

 cultivation and luxury adwinced, the use of Sicilian crocus, m}"rrh, costum spcciosum, and cinnamon 



m 



became general 1\" prevalent. 



In one part of the villa would be the fruit garden, with trees arranged in a quincunx.* Apples, 

 pears, quinces, pomegranates, nuts, almonds and flgs, would be among the fruits under cult!\ation. 

 As the culture of fruit became more popular, rich amateurs vied with each other in producing fine 

 \-arletics. Lueullus introduced the cherr)- on his return from his campaign against Mitliridates. The 

 honey-apple or melimela is frequenll) mentioned by Martial ; it was an early variety and did not last 

 long. Pliny mentions no less than thirty \'arleties of pears and numerous kinds of plums. A^'getables 

 under cultivation included cabbages, onions, peas, and artichokes, fennel, lettuce, cucumber, endive, 

 and wild asparagus; beans were considered fit only for peasants and gladiators. Tn or near the kitchen 

 garden \\ould be the apiaries, which were considered absolutel)' neeessar}' to e\'ery large establishment. 

 Bee-keeping as an industry was most assiduously followed, Varro also describes minutely the 

 construction of places for the preser\'ation of snails and dormice for eating purposes. The same 

 author gives an interesting description of the fish and duck ponds of a villa. 



The principal features of the \-illas, which we ha\-e already described, were to be found on 

 a much grander scale in the gigantic imperial palaces, though from their huge proportions these 

 frequently lack the unity of design which characterised the smaller establishments. The stupendous 

 countr)- villa uf Hadrian Is said to have occupied a total area uf o\"er se\"en square miles. It was 

 situated to the south nf Tivoli, on a ridge running north-east and south-west ; to-day it is but little more 

 than a heap of ruins, which have been very ably described and illustrated by Cusman and others. 

 The villa was conunenced about tweh'e years before Hadrian ga\'e up the administration of public 

 affairs to his adopted son, and the Hmpcror iloubtlcss chose this spot as one where he could enjoy his 



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retirement In sight of, yet awa)' from tlie nulse of, Rome. It was his favourite villa, though he was 

 not destined to enjoy its pleasures for many years after his retirement. The \'illa consisted principally 

 of a vast collection n( buildings almost town-like In their variety, and the gardens were mostly 

 confined to court)-ards and terraces conunanding glorious views over the Vale of Tenq.)e, and in the 



' Quhinnix is the name given to a mode of planting in row.s, by which the pUmts in the one row are always opposed to the blanks in tlic Dther, 

 so that when a plot of ground is planted in thi?; way, the plants appear in rows in four directions. 



