Abstract:

The Late Roman Republic and Early Augustan ages are of maximum importance for the understanding of the enormous volume of the Baetican exports of olive oil in later moments. Further, these initial stages mark the beginning of the phenomenon of the intense stamping on oil amphorae. The aim of this work is to analyse in depth the epigraphical production of Lucius Horatius, who appears to be the oldest stamp on south Spanish olive oil amphorae. The most recent findings are presented in detail, enlarging the nomina and geography of this production. A critical update is made of all the epigraphical and archaeological data known to date and problems related to their typological ascription are discussed as well. Through such an integral analysis the main trade routes of the Horati stamps can be traced, with an important diffusion in the Iberian Peninsula, with special incidence in the Portuguese and Galician Atlantic façade, and a second line of diffusion towards other Mediterranean regions. The findings in Galicia and Portugal are related to the definitive conquest of the Iberian Peninsula as a whole in the time of Augustus, while those of the Mediterranean façade point to other trade routes, which were expanding with other south Spanish ovoid amphorae shortly before the beginning of the Augustan period.