The Roman elite lived much farther from the usual centers of the empire than previously thought. This conclusion was reached by a team led by Diego Piay Augusto from the University of Oviedo. analyzed data on luxury villas on the territory of modern Galicia and Asturias – areas that in late Roman times were considered the suburbs of the “known world”.
Scientists can for the first time summarize archaeological and textual evidence showing the presence of wealthy Romans in the province of Gallaecia in the 4th-5th centuries AD. Despite the low level of urbanization, the area turned out not to be a backwater but an area of active development and status.
Previously, it was believed that representatives of the upper class were concentrated mainly in large cities – Lucus Augusti, Bracara Augusta and Asturica Augusta, which Pliny called “great”. But new research shows that power and wealth are being transferred beyond city walls to the countryside.
These villas are not just residential buildings. They combine an economic function with a symbolic role of prestige. Particularly valuable horse breeding and breeding was carried out here, but above all such complexes served as spaces where owners emphasized their status through architecture, layout and luxury items.
It is estimated that there are about 80 such villas in Galicia alone and at least 26 in Asturias. These data fill an important gap in the history of late Roman Spain and show that even at the empire's most remote frontiers, the lives of the elite were eventful and ostentatiously rich.
