This thesis is a comprehensive investigation of the transport containers produced in Roman Sicily over a chronological period composed of five phases: Early Roman period (30 BC–AD 100); Middle Roman period (AD 100–300); Late Roman period (AD 300–440); Vandal Perios (AD 440/535) and Early Byzantine period (AD 536/600). The research investigates the production and transportation of Sicilian foodstuffs (especially wine) from the major ports of the island to Mediterranean ports and northern Europe. The results demonstrate the wide distribution of Sicilian amphorae and their important role within the wider economy of the Roman Empire. The importance of this research lies in the fact that, despite the agricultural prosperity of Sicily in the Roman Period and its strategic topographical position, transport amphorae remain understudied especially in economic terms. In regards to typology, chronology and distribution, our current knowledge of regional containers has not reached a level comparable to that of amphorae manufactured in other territories. The key discussion focuses on the commercial dynamics of Roman Sicilian amphorae from local, regional and Mediterranean-wide perspectives. The research aims to outline the distribution trends of Sicilian amphorae, looking at the different relative quantities of each amphora type and consequently the extent to which they are present in regions inside and outside Sicily, while considering presences and absences within the more general and homogeneous context of the Mediterranean basin. The organisation of Sicilian amphora production is also tackled through the presentation of probable production sites and excavated kilns. Using these examples, the study investigates the management of production of these containers on the island. The initial data obtained by this research represents a first step in determining differences between Sicilian amphorae workshops producing amphorae — therefore trading wine — for Mediterranean export and manufacturing sites specializing in local/regional trade. Other key achievements include the creation of a new illustrated typology with profile drawings of all the amphora forms and a summary and catalogue of Sicilian amphorae fabrics. In the thesis, the results of archaeometric analysis (thin-sections) carried out on more than 120 Sicilian amphora samples, provided by numerous institutions in Sicily and abroad, are presented. These results add significantly to our knowledge of the fabric composition, manufacture technology, origin and consequently movement of these amphorae around the Mediterranean over six centuries. More generally the research shows that the study of Sicilian material culture along with archaeological evidence is essential for recording the economic dynamics of Sicily, with the intent of dispelling the stereotype that Sicily's primary role was as a grain supplier to Rome. Besides grain — widely produced and exported throughout the imperial period, as attested by ancient sources and inscriptions — the archaeological evidence clearly indicates the export of foodstuffs, especially wine, at an inter-provincial level from the 1^st until the second half of the 6^th century AD.

L'écriture latine est l'un des principaux outils permettant d’étudier la période gallo-romaine. Les contacts entre Romains et indigènes ont favorisé sa diffusion à l'ensemble de la Gaule. Bien que peu de traces nous soient parvenues, l'écriture est un précieux témoignage du passé et l'objectif de cette thèse est d'en étudier l'usage quotidien dans les capitales de cité de Gaule Lyonnaise à travers l'exemple des cités d'Autun, Chartres et Sens. Pour cela, notre étude s'appuie sur l'analyse desinscriptions gravées (graffites) sur vaisselle céramique. La vaisselle en céramique constitue un objet du quotidien accessible à toute la population gallo-romaine et un support épigraphique non périssable. Ainsi, les graffites sur céramique font partie des rares témoignages à notre disposition pour comprendre le quotidien épigraphique des gallo-romains. La première partie de ce travail a consisté à recenser l'ensemble des graffites sur céramique découverts à Autun, Chartres et Sens. Les missions organisées avec l'aide des différentes équipes de bénévoles et le soutien financier du Centre archéologique européen (Bibracte), celui du Ministère de la Culture et celui de l'Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) nous ont permis de recenser un total de 676 graffites dont la plupart sont inédits. Tous sont répertoriés, illustrés et commentés dans le catalogue de cette thèse. L'étude du corpus intègre les inscriptions, leur analyse linguistique etpaléographique ainsi que leur support et leur contexte de découverte. Les messages transmis par ces inscriptions sont divers (indications de contenu, mesures, voeux, dédicaces, etc.) mais la plupart consistent en des marques d'appartenance incisées sur de la vaisselle de qualité. L'étude révèle des pratiques épigraphiques similaires dans les trois cités et la confrontation des résultats avec les données issues des études précédentes montre que ces codes épigraphiques dépassent largement les frontières de la Gaule Lyonnaise. / Latin writing is one of the main types of evidence for studying the Gallo-Roman period. Contacts between Romans and natives have favoured its spread throughout Gaul. Although few traces have remained, writing is a valuable testimony of the past and the objective of this thesis is to study its everyday use in the capital cities of Gallia Lugdunensis through the examples of Autun, Chartres and Sens (France). Therefore, this study is based on the analysis of the incised inscriptions (graffiti) on pottery tableware which was an everyday object accessible to the entire Gallo-Roman population and made of a non-perishable material. Thus, graffiti on pottery are among the rare examples at our disposal to understand the daily epigraphic habits of the Gallo-Roman population. The first part of this work was to identify all graffiti on pottery discovered in Autun, Chartres and Sens. The missions, which were possible thanks to the help of volunteers and to the financial support of the European Archaeological Centre (Bibracte), the Ministry of Culture and Paris-Sorbonne University, allowed us to identify a total of 676 graffiti, most of them are unpublished. All are listed, illustrated and discussed in the catalogue of this thesis. The study of the corpus includes the inscriptions, their linguistic and palaeographic analysis, the identification and the dating of their support and context of discovery. The messages transmitted by these inscriptions were different contents, wishes, dedications, etc.), but most consisted of ownership marks incised on quality crockery. The study reveals similar epigraphic practices in the three cities and the comparison with the results of previously published studies shows that these epigraphic codes are used far beyond the borders of Gallia Lugdunensis.