Lex Claudia 218 BC is often seen as proof of active development of sea trade in Rome, the production of wine and ceramics at the end of the III BC. Another proof are archaeological finds of Grand-Congloué, where was discovered a Roman trading ship with a cargo of amphorae of the type Dressel I. These amphorae were found the abbreviation SES and SEST, which were identified as nomen senatorial family Sestii mentioned by Cicero as shipowners.
