The idea of pigs in ancient Rome stirs up debates and opposing views among historians. While some say that pigs were commonplace in the Roman Empire, others argue that they were not present. It is without doubt a contentious issue because it is difficult to tell precisely what was going on two thousand years ago.
Indeed, there are archaeological remains of simple domestic facilities that could have been used to contain pigs, such as stone troughs in certain parts of Rome where pigs may have been stabled. Additionally, hagiographers mention the presence of pigs in the city of Rome during the early Middle Ages.
Moreover, recent archaeozoological studies of sites in Ostia, Cerveteri and Rome point to the presence of the female pig during antiquity and in the early Middle Ages. This is due to the large numbers of pig bones that have been recovered and their abundance in certain layers. In addition, the archaeological remains of these sites feature local farms, which suggest pigs were kept since farmed animals were very common then.
However, it is difficult to determine whether the pigs were domesticated or wild. This is because there are references of wild boars in Rome, but they may not have been the same species as they are today. Furthermore, the presence of wild boars could also be in relation to hunting expeditions. Though this is a possibility, there are still some specialists that argue that both forms of pigs – wild and domesticated – may have been present in Rome.
Nevertheless, the presence of pigs in Rome is supported by multiple sources. One such source is Vegetius who wrote in the fourth century about extensive pigkeeping in the region of Latium. Furthermore, Varro’s work discussing Roman agriculture describes pig production as a marginal activity in the city. This means that pig keeping was not an important industry in Rome.
The idea that there were pigs in Rome can be further explored by examining how big Roman households kept pigs. For large households, pig raising was a source of income and meat. Those who had houses in the countryside were likely to have kept pigs, while those in the city were reported to use cellars to keep them. It appears that the pigs were killed and processed at home to produce salami. This is evidenced by butchers in the city of Rome, where salami shops existed.
Types of Pigs in Ancient Rome
The varieties of pigs that Roman kept are unclear. It is possible that most of the pigs kept in Rome were of the Sus scrofa species, which is the wild boar species present in the region. Additionally, it is possible that some landowners kept pigs with better meat quality such as the Iberian pig. This variety was likely introduced by the Romans in their conquests, and as a result, this type of pig can be found in various parts of Europe today.
Moreover, the Romans are reported to have kept two types of pigs – the breeds called Libiculus and Liborius. The Libiculus breed was smaller, had a short snout with a narrow muzzle, and weighed about 150 pounds. In contrast, the Liborius breed weighed about 220 pounds and had a longer body, wider muzzle and bigger head. It is not clear, however, which type of pigs were present in Rome because no physical remains of Libiculus and Liborius pigs have been recovered.
Uses of Pigs in Ancient Rome
The uses of pigs in Rome varied from time period to time period. In general, pigs were used for meat production and were a cheap source of protein. They were also used as a source of fertilizer in the fields. It is also possible that, since pigs were a luxury item and sign of wealth, they were also kept as pets.
There are multiple sources that confirm the use of pigs in Roman society. Roman laws concerning the keeping of pigs were overwritten at least six times during the Republican period, suggesting that pigs were an important asset. Furthermore, a variety of culinary recipes of pork dishes were made by the Romans, although it is not known to what extent pork was consumed.
Relationship Between Pigs and Ancient Romans
The relationship between humans and animals was complex in the Roman Empire. While animals were at times used for food production purposes, the Roman government and citizens also developed a vast system of animal protection. For instance, there are imperial edicts that outlawed the killing of pigs in certain regions, or in certain areas within the city of Rome.
Additionally, the Romans used swineherds as sources of labor. Swineherds came from the lower social classes, and their labor was considered important because of their pig-handling skills. Moreover, they were also in charge of disposing of dead swine in urban areas and sent to the countryside if it was necessary.
Sacrifice of Pigs in Ancient Rome
In ancient Rome, pigs were used for sacrificial purposes. Pigs were sacrificed to gods such as Jove, Ceres and Juno, but this custom was not as widespread as for other animals. However, evidence of swine sacrifices can be found in literary sources and in archaeological remains in the form of pig carcasses discovered near temples.
Moreover, pigs were part of funeral practices, as according to Roman funeral laws, swine were to be taken to the funeral. These animals were eaten as part of the funeral meal. Additionally, there are reports of sacrifices called suovetaurilia that included pigs among other animals such as sheep and bulls. This ritual was performed during the foundation of temples or even to guard against natural disasters.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there appears to be evidence that pigs were present in ancient Rome. This has been supported by archaeological remains and hagiographers, as well as Roman laws and literary sources. It seems that pigs were used for both food production purposes and sacrificial purposes, as well as for labor. Nonetheless, the exact species of pigs that were present in Rome remains uncertain.
