Sergius Orata

Sergius Orata demonstrates his method of oyster cultivation. From a medieval French illustration. Gaius Sergius Orata ( 95 BC) was an Ancient Roman who was a successful merchant, inventor and hydraulic engineer. He is credited with inventing the cultivation of oysters and refinement to the hypocaust method of heating a building to provide, in addition, heated water for bathing.

Origins of his name The writer Festus noted "The Orata", the gilt-headed bream, "is a kind of fish so called for its golden color (aurata, "golden," also spelled orata)." ... "Because of this, it's said about the very wealthy Sergius that they called him orata, because he wore two big rings of gold. Some authorities assert that his nickname just comes from the commercialization of those fishes." Orata wanted to take advantage of the wealthy Romans' liking for shellfish as food, so he developed many new techniques for breeding oysters. This included the practice of surrounding mature oysters with twigs, to which their young (known as "spats") could affix themselves and thus be easily transplanted wherever desired. This allowed for the creation of artificial oyster beds, which he surrounded with channels and dams in order to protect them from the sea tides.

He based his business at the Lucrine Lake in Campania,

Orata was also credited by the writer Vitruvius with the invention of the hypocaust (underfloor heating), although this is not fully established. What is certain is that he invented a new type of "hanging baths" ("bal(i)nea pensilia"), which were a kind of relaxing thermal spa baths; that are usually considered to be related to hypocausts. He commercialized them as he had his oyster business. He claimed healing and soothing properties to his invention and this helped Orata to market it successfully. They became fashionable among the wealthy, to the point that no luxury mansion could be considered complete without one of Orata's pools.

Sergius Orata became rich due to his inventions; he was himself noted for his love for luxury and refinement.