Topiarius

Hello!

I recently visited the Saughton Rose Gardens in Edinburgh for (can you believe it) the first time! I stumbled upon two large topiaries in the shape of peacocks. They were so large and they loomed over the gardens like protectors. As I admired them, I was reminded of the ancient history of topiary.

The art of topiary was called topiarius in Latin and refers to the art of clipping shrubs, hedges and trees into shapes, often fantastical, like these peacocks in Saughton Park. Topiarius is said to have been invented by the Roman, Gaius Matius, or just Matius for short. Matius was a friend of both Cicero and Julius Caesar (who were mortal enemies). Cicero called Matius, doctissimus, which means ‘the most learned’ in Latin. A doctissimus was the highest literary compliment that could be given and only the most thoughtful, well-read Romans were considered as such. One can only imagine Matius in his Roman garden, trimming shrubs into geometric shapes. It was quite avant-garde for garden history. (I cannot help but recall Edward Scissorhands frantically cutting shrubs into dinosaurs.)

But Matius’ garden influences do not stop at topiarius! The Spanish word for apple is manzana, which comes from the Latin, matiana mala, or the apple of Matius. Here, the Greek word for apple (malum) is used instead of the Latin, pomum. Matius cultivated apples in his ancient gardens and it is so fun to see its etymological heritage.

Additionally, not only was Matius an exceptional gardener and intellectual, but he was a famous cook! Matius is known to have written no less than three cookbooks: The Cook, The Butler and The Picklemaker. There was even an ancient dish named after Matius called minutal matianum, or Matius’ mincemeat. I wonder if it was eaten with garum, Rome’s version of ketchup. Either way, any dish created by a gardener is bound to be delicious.

So, the next time you stop to admire some artful topiary in a garden, think of Matius. Then go get some lunch.