Ancient Gardens
- Where does the Story of Gardens begin?
- Why have gardens?
- Useful or beautiful?
- Part of Roman Life
- Not so different after all
Where does the Story of Gardens begin?
People have always depended on plants for their survival, for food, shelter, raw materials and medicine. In Neolithic times, our ancestors began to cut down trees to clear land so they could dig the soil, plant and grow for themselves the fruit, nuts, grains, vegetables and herbs that they needed. Soon they must have realised that these areas of altered nature could be used to give pleasure as well. And so the idea of a ‘garden’ was born.
Why have Gardens?
The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, China, Greece and Rome all saw gardens as important. They played a role in economic and social life, and they also symbolised a vision of perfection. In Judeo-Christian traditions, Adam and Eve were expelled from the perfect Garden of Eden. In Persian beliefs (later adopted by Islam), the garden was a physical representation of Paradise, which the Koran describes as a ‘state of blessedness’. In fact, the words ‘paradise’ and ‘park’ were the same in ancient Persian.
'The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, is zealously cared for, so that he may find gardens wherever he goes. Their name is Paradise, and they are full of things fair and good that the earth can bring forth.'
Written by the ancient Greek historian, Xenophon
These early gardens were usually formal in layout and contained plants that provided shade, shelter, ornament, medicine and food. These gardens weren’t simply collection of plants. For the wealthy, gardens were places of rest and pleasure, places for entertainment, games, music, dining and dancing. They were literally used as an extension of the house, an outdoor room. The poorest of households, too, would have some plants, even if they were only culinary and medicinal herbs grown in pots.
In ancient Egypt, plants played a major role in the economy along with their use in religious ceremonies. In Thebes, now Luxor, there were over 450 gardens and great water reservoirs, often referred to as sacred pools.
Useful or Beautiful?
The Romans first distinguished between ‘useful’ gardens and ‘ornamental’ gardens. They planted vegetable gardens and orchards on the outskirts of towns, creating early market gardens and allotments. They planted ornamental gardens in the towns and by the villas where they lived.
Part of Roman Life
Archaeologists have discovered a lot about Roman gardens from the remains at Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were preserved under volcanic debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. It’s clear that gardens were related to many aspects of Roman cultural life: architecture, painting, sculpture, religion, work, recreation, and city planning, as well as horticulture and economics.
Not so different after all
There is an amazing similarity between the gardens of ancient civilizations and those of today. They were usually enclosed by buildings or walls to protect important plants that were used for food and medicine. In the Roman garden, the peristyle garden or ‘outdoor room’ was decorated with tables, fountains, murals and scented plants.
'He [the topiarius or gardener] has so enveloped everything in ivy, not only the foundation walls of the villa, but also the spaces between columns of the promenade, that I declare the Greek statues seem to be in business as landscape gardeners, and to be advertising their ivy.'
Cicero 54BC
Our gardens today own much to these civilisations, in their form, use and even in the plants we grow. Many plants were introduced to northern Europe by the Romans, including bay [Laurus nobilis], rosemary, thyme, lavender, horse chestnut, and chestnut. The Ancients also understood that people needed garden-like open spaces in towns too, where they can gather, meet, socialise, trade and observe ceremonies. These town spaces were the forerunners of our public parks and city squares.
The ‘House of the Faun’, Pompeii
(destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 AD); with ‘peristyle’ gardens (surrounded by covered walks) and open ‘atrium’ areas with small pools to collected the water from the roof.
The Temple of Luxor, Egypt
This grand 2km processional route linking the temples of Luxor and Karnak would have been shaded by palm trees and scented with flowers.
House of Venus, Pompeii
A well-preserved wall painting shows a garden with fountain, birds and trellis fence, with a background view of the surrounding countryside.
Laurus nobilis
The Romans brought the ‘noble laurel’ or bay tree to Britain. A laurel crown was worn by victorious athletes. The Emperor’s laurel crown was made of gold.
The Spring of David, Dead Sea
This ancient spring in a barren, rocky landscape shows the problems that the ancient gardeners in the Middle East faced. Water and shade were scarce: places of green plant growth were highly valued.
