{"id":2357,"date":"2023-03-13T06:04:16","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T05:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=2357"},"modified":"2023-03-13T06:04:16","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T05:04:16","slug":"did-ancient-rome-have-ice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/did-ancient-rome-have-ice\/","title":{"rendered":"Did ancient rome have ice?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ice was not common in ancient Rome, but it was certainly not unheard of. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) wrote that ice was sometimes imported from the mountains for use in cool drinks, and that it could be preserved in underground chambers. The Roman poet Martial (40-104 AD) wrote that ice was used to cool wine. And the Roman historian Tacitus (56-117 AD) mentioned that ice was used to cool the emperor Nero’s palace during the hot summers. However, it is likely that ice was only used by the wealthy, as it would have been expensive to import and store.<\/p>\n

It is not known for certain if ancient Rome had ice, as there is no direct evidence to suggest that they did. However, some historians believe that it is possible that the wealthy elites in Rome may have had access to ice, either through trade or by storing it in special coolers.<\/p>\n

Did the ancients have ice? <\/h2>\n

Using ice to cool drinks dates back to the ancient Egyptians, Athenians, and Mesopotamians who put ice or snow into their wine or water The Roman emperor Nero placed ice around his wine glass to cool it, preferring not to taint his wine. This method of cooling drinks is still used today, and is a popular way to keep beverages cold without watering them down.<\/p>\n

Wealthy Romans enjoyed glacial ice brought down from the mountains and stored in insulated cellars. This remained the standard for a couple of millennia. However, ice and iced drinks have actually gone through numerous changes, especially over the past two centuries.<\/p>\n

Did the Romans have cold water <\/h3>\n
\"Did
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The ancient Roman plumbing system was a legendary achievement in civil engineering, bringing fresh water to urbanites from hundreds of kilometers away. Wealthy Romans had hot and cold running water, as well as a sewage system that whisked waste away. The engineering feat was made possible by a network of aqueducts that spanned the length and breadth of the empire.<\/p>\n

These ancient ice houses were used to store blocks of ice that were gathered during winter. The ice was used to keep food and drink cold and to make ice cream. Ancient Rome even had snow shops where spectators could cool off before heading into to the Coliseum to see gladiators in action.<\/p>\n

Did Egypt have an ice age? <\/h2>\n

The Ice Age must have ended before the formation of the Nile Delta, and therefore well before the beginnings of Egyptian civilization and Abraham’s visit to Egypt. The history, archaeology, geography, and geology of ancient Egypt are examined with respect to the post-Flood Ice Age.<\/p>\n

The Bible doesn’t specifically say that people could make ice in the desert, but it does say that people were able to cool water in the desert. This would likely have been done by evaporative cooling, which is a process that can be used to lower the temperature of water.<\/p>\n

Why is ice not a thing in Italy? <\/h2>\n
\"Did
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Italians don’t generally put ice in their drinks because they find it too cold. This is in contrast to Americans who love ice in their drinks. Ice is actually an American concept, and it was invented in the USA. So while ice is part of our DNA, it is counterintuitive to Italians. Ice tea in Italy is served very cold with no ice.<\/p>\n

Porous clay pots containing boiled, cooled water were laid out on top of straw in shallow trenches; under favourable circumstances, thin ice would form on the surface during winter nights which could be harvested and combined for sale.<\/p>\n

This was a common method of ice production in medieval Europe, and was known as ‘ice pit farming’. It was a labour-intensive process, but the ice could be sold for a good price, making it worth the effort.<\/p>\n

Why don’t they use ice in Italy <\/h3>\n

Florentines (and Francesca) say that the rule is because icy cold liquids are bad for your digestion. They can apparently cause an abdominal cramp (congestione) which can be deadly.<\/p>\n

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Most Romans made do with portable braziers, which were metal boxes filled with coals. The braziers had feet to protect the floor and handles to carry them from room to room.