The stat us of the coloni in the mining district of Vipasca in view of the provisions of the Lex metallis dicta

Abstract

This paper discusses changes in the Roman mining policy that took place during the Empire, based on the provisions found on the second tablet of the Lex metallis dicta2 (Vip II, 1, 2,5,6,7,8,9) from Vipasca. The main stress is placed on the position, rights and obligations of the coloni and miners and the status of mining pits after their sale. By examining the efficiency of the indirect model of silver and lead exploitation in the mining district of Vipasca, the authors present their solution to the unresolved issue of the means by which the Roman state obtained large quantities of metals necessary for the operation of state-run factories and imperial mints.