Sergius Orata

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Sergius Orata was a Roman merchant and hydraulic engineer who was famous during the Roman Republic.

Sergius was well-known by his contemporaries because of the breeding and commercialization of the oysters, in which he can be considered as a pioneer. Orata wanted to take advantage of Romans' taste for shellfish, so he developed a new system for breeding oysters. He constructed channels and preys to control sea tides, as well as high vaults over Lucrine Lake.

The invention of the hypocaust is also credited to this entrepreneur (fl. c. 95 BC), although this is not fully confirmed. Perhaps he developed it at first as a way to feed his numerous oysters. All we know for sure is that he invented the hanging baths ("balneae pensiles"), some kind of relaxing thermal baths; they are usually considered to be hypocausts. He commercialized it as successfully as the oysters, becoming a sign of distinction among patricians. He used to buy villages to construct the baths, and then resell them at higher prices.

[edit] The opinions of his contemporaries

• The orata, Festus wrote, is a kind of fish that is called this way by its golden color (aurum). [...]. Because of this, it's said about a Sergio, who was the richest, that they were calling him orata, because he wore two big rings of gold. Some authorities assert that his nickname just comes from the commercialization of those fishes.
• Roman people said about Sergius that he could breed oysters on the roof of his house.
• He was dis­tinguished for his great wealth and his love for luxury and refinement.

[edit] See also

• Hypocaust

[edit] References

• About Roman baths (referring to Sergius Orata), by William Smith.
• Holland, Tom. (2003). Rubicon. 
• Sergius Orata: Inventor of the Hypocaust?. Fagan, Garret G.
• About Sergius