also by a profound structural change. The last 2 centuries BC witnessed decisive steps towards the establishment of large scale

estates, latifundia, which were to play an important role in the course of the empire. Even though the cultivation units remained

relatively small for a long period, there was gradual transition to more extensive farming, largely based on slave labour.

Fortunately, we are able to gain a detailed insight into the agricultural life of the time. About 160BC, a Roman statesman, Cato the

Censor (234BC-149BC) wrote a book called De agricultura ("About Agriculture"). It is not a well arranged manual, but rather a

collection of unconnected notes comprising, apart from general instructions and a mention of religious customs, a description of

two of Cato's own estates near the border of Latium and Campania.

One farm - with an extent of 240 iugera (about 60ha. or 150 acres), managed by 13 people (mainly slaves) - specialised in the

cultivation of olives. The other specialised in viticulture, occupied 100 iugera (about 25ha. or 60 acres) and was managed by 16

1. There is also the method of the screw, which raises a great quantity of water, but does not carry it as high as does the wheel.

device to rotate. The rotation forces water up into higher 'compartments' whilst the spiral nature of the screw prevents the water

olives in order to separate the pulp from the stones (think of a barbell being used to crush olives on a stone block).

2. When these lines have been correctly drawn, a slender withe of willow, or a straight piece cut from the agnus castus tree, is

diameter is equal to one eighth of the length. These are covered and surrounded with boards, fastened on to protect the spiral.

long handle extends out of the upper end of the device which is cranked by hand. This action causes the spiral chambers inside the

over eight points. In the same manner, withes for the eight divisions of the diameter, fastened obliquely at the intersections on the

The method of constructing it is as follows. A beam is selected, the thickness of which in digits is equivalent to its length in feet.

Some common words found in the essay are:
WATER SCREW, Water Screw, Italy Besides, SCREW Archimedean, Hellensitic Italy, Latium Campania, East Asia, Olynthian Mill, Cato Censor, Reconstructed Article, smeared liquid, smeared liquid pitch, fastened intersection, liquid pitch, edge-runner mills, acres managed, fastened line, water irrigation, horizontal position, lines drawn, archimedean screw,
Approximate Word count = 1216
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)