Was wine really the drink of civilisation? Join Lauren Dogaer and Emlyn Dodd as they explore Roman vineyards, imperial estates, drinking culture, and the archaeology behind one of history's greatest wine empires.
In the fifth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Emlyn Dodd, archaeologist and expert on ancient wine production in the Roman world. Together, they explore the central role of wine in Roman society, from everyday consumption to its importance as a marker of status, identity, and civilisation. They also discuss the wide variety of wines produced across the empire and how Roman tastes and drinking practices evolved over time. The conversation then turns to the production of wine itself. Lauren and Emlyn examine who made Roman wine, from small-scale farmers to wealthy landowners and imperial estates, and discuss the technologies and techniques that enabled wine to be produced and distributed on an unprecedented scale across the Mediterranean. Drawing on archaeological evidence from vineyards, wineries, and elite residences, they explore how wine was embedded in Roman economic, social, and political life. From lavish banquets and religious ceremonies to imperial displays of wealth, the episode reveals how wine became one of the defining features of Roman culture and helped shape an empire.
