Augustus and the Cura Annonae: Feeding Rome's Millions

In episode 70 of our Augustus series, Lucas and Luna explore the monumental challenge of feeding the city of Rome. With a population nearing one million, the emperor Augustus took over the grain supply, creating the cura annonae—a vast administrative system that imported grain from Egypt, North Africa, and Sicily. They discuss the annona, the praefectus annonae, the role of the port of Ostia, and the political importance of free grain distributions (frumentationes). How did Augustus secure Rome's food supply without alienating the senatorial elite? What was the cost, and who really paid? This episode dives into the logistics, politics, and legacy of one of the empire's most essential institutions. #Augustus #CuraAnnonae #AncientRome #RomanEmpire #GrainSupply #Annona #Ostia #Egypt #AfricaProconsularis #Sicily #Frumentationes #PraefectusAnnonae #Claudius #PortOfOstia #Nile #RomanEconomy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo