What are some examples of famous brands in the ancient Roman world?

Question

In the Wikipedia article about brands, they give a few different examples of brands that existed in antiquity. A couple examples are given for ancient Rome, such as Umbricius Scaurus, a manufacturer of fish sauce in Pompeii, CE 35, and Ennion, a maker of glassware. The former is mentioned in the article as having been found all across the mediterranean, where I imagine his name/brand would have told anyone that this is some quality garum.

What are some other examples of "famous" or "known" brands in the Republic or Empire? It doesn't need to be specific to a person's name as long as it informed the Romans about qualities of the the product in the way a brand does.

Answer 1

There is only one Roman products still made today that I know of: Pecorino Romano cheese.

There is a notable book about Roman economics called "The Social and Economic History of the Roman Empire" by Michael Rostovtzeff (1926). A more modern book is "Roman Law and Economics: Institutions and Organizations" (Oxford Press).

In Rostovtzeff's book are mentioned various commercial organizations such as the Socii Talenses (a mining company). He mentions the brand of Fortis clay lamps and Navigius clay vases (p. 163); also, Aucissa safety pins (fibula), p. 69.

Note that there is a book "Ancient Pottery." Birch. London 1873, that lists in the appendix p. 603 all known Roman potters and their trademarks as discovered by archaeology.

In Pompeii were found amphora containing VESUVINUM wine. (This is significant because it shows that although elite Roman literature frowned on portmanteau and compound words, they were popular in vulgar speech, just like today.)

An AUCISSA fibula.

Trademarked brick.