pickA fascinating look at trading voyages via the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean and how the Roman Empire was financed by the import duty on goods (mainly spices, incense, and silks) imported from Arabia, East Africa, and India via Egypt. It's amazing just how much we know.
Roman authorities were well informed about the revenues that sustained their Empire.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickRead for background information for my writing.
Started this this morning, which Emma somehow remembered I was after the best part of a year ago - thank you @Oryx !
A trip from the UK to Singapore on a Maersk general cargo ship (a tad bigger than these ‘teensy‘ ships in the docks here - one day I‘ll post a picture to show just how teensy they are 😬), and an insight into the global shipping industry. Fascinating and really well-written- I think I‘m going to enjoy this!
pickA surprisingly accessible, well-written account (not at all dense) of medieval Europe‘s fascination with/demand for spices & the resulting consequences. From spices as aromatics & flavorings in food to their medicinal uses (spoiler, sugar used a lot!) from trade with Islamic Empire to European expansionism, from highly spiced food to the rise of French cuisine & the end of the popularity of spices in Europe, this book covers a lot. Fascinating.
