Varrone, la Via Salaria e i tordi

Abstract

The article analyzes a fragment from the third book of Varro's 'De re rustica', which describes his maternal aunt's villa along the Roman road Via Salaria, a property that generated immense profits through the breeding and sale of thrushes. The author attempts to precisely locate this estate at the 24th mile of the aforementioned road by comparing literary accounts with the routes of Via Salaria and Via Caecilia. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that the villa was situated in a strategic location near a ferry crossing and a river port on the Tiber, allowing for the fast, inexpensive, and mass transport of birds to the Roman market.