Changes

Various proxies have been proposed as evidence for the Roman Warm Period, such as the Roman introduction of vineyards into Britain. Olive presses have been found in the Roman city of Sagalassos in [[Anatolia]], although as of 2000 it was too cold to grow olives in this area of southwestern [[Turkey]].<ref name="Scheidel19">Scheidel, Morris Saller (2007), p. 19</ref>

Various proxies have been proposed as evidence for the Roman Warm Period, such as the Roman introduction of vineyards into Britain. Olive presses have been found in the Roman city of Sagalassos in [[Anatolia]], although as of 2000 it was too cold to grow olives in this area of southwestern [[Turkey]].<ref name="Scheidel19">Scheidel, Morris Saller (2007), p. 19</ref>

Theophrastus (371 – c. 287 BC) wrote that date trees could grow in Greece if planted, but could not set fruit there. This is the same situation as today, and suggests that southern Aegean mean summer temperatures in the fourth and fifth centuries BC were within a degree of modern temperatures. This and other literary fragments from the time confirm that the Greek climate during that period was basically the same as it was around 2000 AD. Dendrochronological evidence from wood found at the [[Parthenon]] shows variability of climate in the fifth century BC resembling the modern pattern of variation.<ref name="Scheidel17">{{harvnb|Scheidel|Morris|Saller|2007|p=17}}</ref> Tree rings from Italy in the late third century BC indicate a period of mild conditions in the area at the time that [[Hannibal]] crossed the Alps with elephants.<ref name="Scheidel18">Scheidel, Morris Saller (2007), p. 18}}</ref>

Writing at the beginning of the Roman Warm Period, Theophrastus (371 – c. 287 BC) wrote that date trees could grow in Greece if planted, but could not set fruit there. This is the same situation as today. It suggests that southern Aegean mean summer temperatures in the fourth and fifth centuries BC were within a degree of modern temperatures. This and other literary fragments from the time confirm that the Greek climate prior at this time was basically the same as it was around 2000 AD. Dendrochronological evidence from wood found at the [[Parthenon]] shows variability of climate in the fifth century BC resembling the modern pattern of variation.<ref name="Scheidel17">{{harvnb|Scheidel|Morris|Saller|2007|p=17}}</ref> Tree rings from Italy in the late third century BC indicate a period of mild conditions in the area at the time that [[Hannibal]] crossed the Alps with elephants.<ref name="Scheidel18">Scheidel, Morris Saller (2007), p. 18.</ref>

The phrase "Roman Warm Period" appears in a 1995 doctoral thesis.<ref>William Paul, "Stable isotopic record of climatic and environmental change in continental settings", 1995, University of Michigan. "The Roman warm period though it has been suggested was responsible in part for advances in civilization, also had a dangerous side."</ref> It was popularized by an article published in ''Nature'' in 1999.<ref name=Bianchi>Bianchi GG, McCave IN, "[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v397/n6719/full/397515a0.html Holocene periodicity in North Atlantic climate and deep-ocean flow south of Iceland]", ''Nature'' '''397''' (6719) 515–7, February 1999.</ref>

The phrase "Roman Warm Period" appears in a 1995 doctoral thesis.<ref>William Paul, "Stable isotopic record of climatic and environmental change in continental settings", 1995, University of Michigan. "The Roman warm period though it has been suggested was responsible in part for advances in civilization, also had a dangerous side."</ref> It was popularized by an article published in ''Nature'' in 1999.<ref name=Bianchi>Bianchi GG, McCave IN, "[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v397/n6719/full/397515a0.html Holocene periodicity in North Atlantic climate and deep-ocean flow south of Iceland]", ''Nature'' '''397''' (6719) 515–7, February 1999.</ref>