Breeding and raising livestock was a profitable activity for landowners, requiring far less labour and investment than arable farming. While animals were kept for meat, wool and dairy products for centuries, and animal husbandry was practised across the ancient world, it was the Romans who truly developed the art. Through selective breeding the Romans produced bigger, stronger livestock which provided more meat, milk, cheese and wool. They also developed fish farms, to satisfy the demand for fresh fish in inland provinces.
