Romans had a taste for French wine

Nicosia (Cyprus), October 5 (ANI): The survey of a Roman shipwreck dating back to the 2nd century AD has revealed the presence of over 130 ceramic jars, likely to have been carrying wine or oil, which indicates that the Romans may have liked French wine.

According to a report in Cyprus Mail, the survey of the Roman shipwreck near Cape Greco on the Island's southeast coast, has been done by the Department of Antiquities in Cyprus.

"Its location in shallow waters, suggest that either the vessel was nearing an intended port-of-call, or else was engaged in a coasting trade, moving products to market over short distances up and down the coast," said a press release from the Department of Antiquities.

The findings also suggest that 2nd Century Romans had a taste for French wine.

"While most jars came from South Eastern Asia Minor and the general North East Mediterranean region, one group of amphorae appears to have contained wine imported from the Mediterranean coast of France," the press release said.

Cape Greco has a rich and colourful maritime history.

According to Diodoros, it was somewhere near there, where in 306BC the Macedonian Demetrios the Besieger defeated Ptolemy of Egypt, in one of the largest naval engagements of antiquity.

Although Ptolemy eventually victoriously returned to control Cyprus for the rest of the Hellenistic period, nearly 100 warships were reportedly sunk in the conflict.

Unfortunately, no wood, boat fittings or anchors are visible from the surface scatter.

The non-intrusive survey was sponsored by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A and M University, and completed in Mid-August. (ANI)