Este colony of veterans

After the victory at Actium (31 BC), Augustus assigned land to veterans, making Ateste a colony. The land was reclaimed and divided into plots of land through a process called centuriation; veterans lived off agriculture and enjoyed subsidies and privileges that enhanced their prestige.

Epigraphs of former soldiers of Legion XI, some bearing the surname Actiacus, and veterans of Legions IV Macedonica and V Urbana, including a signifer (insignia bearer), are known in Este. Some veterans were admitted (adlecti) into the local senate (ordo decurionum), donating sums of money (summae honorariae) for public works. Legionaries originally from Este are also attested in other regions of the empire with the surname Atestinus or membership in the Romilia tribe.

Amphorae and trade

Amphorae were ceramic containers for transporting foodstuffs, especially wine, oil, and fermented fish sauce (garum). They had a narrow neck, a sealed mouthpiece with a stopper, two handles for handling them, and a spike at the base of the body, which allowed them to be stacked in the hold of honorary ships. The shape of the handles and body varied according to the place of origin, becoming a true mark of origin. They often bore manufacturers’ stamps impressed on the rim or handles, or painted inscriptions (tituli picti) with data on product and capacity. The amphorae testify to Roman Ateste’s trade contacts: oil and wine from the Po Valley and Istria, Spanish garum, Aegean wine, and North African oil. After use, they were used for land reclamation or to hold grave goods.