Ledosus
Ledosus, located in eastern Aquitania (modern-day Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne), was one of the key centers of pottery production in the Roman Empire. Initially, during the early Principate, it became prominent as Italian ceramics, especially those from Arretium, began to decline in popularity. Ledosus emerged as a significant competitor, particularly with its potters creating imitations of imported Italian goods. These artisans specialized in producing a range of terracotta items, including low relief decorated pieces known as terra sigillata, as well as bowls, jugs, relief plaques, and various architectural ornaments. The industry experienced a lull but saw a revival in the second century, continuing to thrive until the fourth century. This historical significance highlights Ledosus's role in the broader context of Roman trade and cultural exchange across regions such as Gaul, Germany, and Britain. Overall, Ledosus serves as an important example of local adaptation and innovation in response to changing market dynamics during the Roman period.
Subject Terms
Ledosus
(Lezoux) in eastern Aquitania (Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne), south-central Gaul
![Terra cotta bowl, 2nd c. CE, made near Lezoux. Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr [CC BY-SA 2.0 fr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/fr/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons 103254602-105032.jpg](https://imageserver.ebscohost.com/img/embimages/ers/sp/embedded/103254602-105032.jpg?ephost1=dGJyMNHX8kSepq84xNvgOLCmsE2epq5Srqa4SK6WxWXS)

A village forming one of the principal centers of the pottery industry in the Roman empire. Early in the Principate, Italian wares (notably those from Arretium [Arezzo]) lost their primacy, first to Condatomagus (Graufesenque) and then to Ledosus, where (expanding a much earlier trade, exemplified by recent finds of Italian bronzes) potters from the time of Tiberius (AD 14–37) imitated products imported from Italy and sold their handiwork in Gaul, Germany and Britain. These copies consist mainly of terracottas with low relief decoration (terra sigillata), but also include bowls, jugs, relief plaques and architectural ornaments. After a subsequent reduction of activity, the workshops of Ledosus revived in the course of the second century and maintained their activity until the fourth.