Historical Greenhouses in Roman Times

Development

• According to the National Vegetable Society, the specularium started as a simple walled structure with no roof, within which plants were positioned and grown. Eventually the building was developed further to include a roof of mica to allow light and warmth to enter and be held within the structure.

Heat

• The specularium was further developed by the Romans to grow flowers, vegetables and fruits during winter. During cold days and nights keepers maintained warmth in the greenhouse by lighting fires around the exterior walls of the specularium.

Tiberius

• The art of growing plants in a specularium was perfected during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, who ascended to power in the Roman Empire in 14 A.D. at the age of 56, and remained in power until his death in 37 A.D. Around the year 30 A.D., Tiberius fell ill and was advised by his physicians to eat a certain kind of cucumber to aid his recovery, according to the National Vegetable Society. Tiberius had the cucumbers grown throughout the year in a specularium.

Mica

• Mica (Lapis specularius) is a mineral that has been known and used by civilizations throughout history, including the early Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures. Mica in thin sheets was mined and used in windows in Roman times. It was used to protect the plants in Roman greenhouses.