Ager Hadrianus, Praetutianus Palmensisque in Plinio, terroirs medio-adriatici

Abstract

The description of the Picenum (Regio V) by Pliny the Elder (NH 3, 110-111) recalls the existence of three contiguous territories (agri), on the nature of which modern historical criticism has expressed a series of hypotheses. The ager Hadrianus has been linked to the Latin colony of Hadria, the ager Praetutianus to the people of the Praetutii (however not mentioned by Pliny), while for the ager Palmensis a connection with an agricultural district for the production of wine has been proposed. The archaeological documentation on the agricultural exploitation of the southern Piceno has shown the existence of numerous farms and villas/farms destined to the production of wine and oil since the 2nd century BC. By cross-referencing
the archaeological data available up to now with Plinian definition of ager and with the fame of local wines (vinum Hadrianum, Praetutianum, Palmense, Picenum), it is proposed to recognize in the agri “terroirs” (districts for wine production) of particular importance, similar to those mentioned by Pliny in Latium and in Campania (e.g. ager Setinus, Caecubus, Falernus).