Epirus Latifundia of the 1st Century BC

As a result of the Roman conquests of the second and first centuries BC, the entire Mediterranean was included in the orbit of influence of the Eternal City, and the fertile and rich Epirus, located in close proximity to Italy, was particularly attractive for further economic expansion of Rome. Written and archaeological sources record the active presence of the Romans in the region in the 1st century BC, the organization of their estates and the management of an extensive economy of the latifundial type. This is especially true of the figure of Titus Pomponius Atticus, whose activities in Epirus have been preserved most fully. The Roman latifundia of Epirus were multidisciplinary slave-owning estates of a predominantly intensive nature, with a leading role in cattle breeding and high profitability due to the demand for Epirus wool in Italy and army supplies during military campaigns. Archaeological materials indicate the intensive spread of latifundia in the territory of Epirus, known for its developed cattle breeding. The organization of such farms did not require serious investments from the owners, unlike estates such as villas, and allowed them to extract tangible profits.