The Annona Problem

Data

• Source One, Latin Lexicon: Annona means in chronological order "Early Roman harvest goddess," "yearly produce, i.e., grain, wine, milk, etc." "grain," "the administration of the grain supply."
• Source Two, German Encyclopedia of Antiquity (Paully-Wissowa)
  • Annona first mentioned in Livy 4.12 (in regard to events of 440 B.C.).
  • in Republic aediles are in charge of market price.
  • 44 BC Caesar appoints 2 new aediles for administration of the grain supply (cura annonae).
  • throughout Republican period money is kept in the treasury of Saturn.
  • 22 BC Augustus takes on administration of Annona himself.
  • ca. 10 AD Augustus appoints a prefect of the grain supply who:
    • guarantees a reliable grain supply
    • checks all measurement and weights of grain
    • sees that grain is safely stored

[Assume the population of Rome to be about: 35,000 in 400 BC; and 1,000,000 in 10 AD.]

Problem: write a brief narrative on/analysis of the development of the grain supply and its control. Try to include all of the above data.