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Roman trade was so successful because the integration of the Roman provinces into the vast Roman Empire and the two hundred years of relative political stability in the empire (the Pax Romana) encouraged the development of extensive trade networks where the many areas of the empire traded with each other. Being under a uniform (imperial) administrative system and the use of the Roman currency throughout the empire was also helpful. The empire acted as a large trading union.
The Romans also actively encouraged the development of trade. The clearest example of this was Egypt, where the Romans encouraged the development of private enterprise to promote an increase in commercial production of agricultural goods and manufactures and built irrigation and communication canals. The Romans built extensive infrastructure to facilitate trade. The road network of the empire totalled 400,000 kilometres (250,000 miles). A survey of Roman bridges found 931 bridges around the area of empire. The number of surveyed aqueducts is 864. New ports were built and some of the existing ports were enlarged.
The most important commodity was grain which was needed to feed Rome's enormous population. Egypt supplied half of this. Other major producers were Tunisia, Sicily and Sardinia. Rome was also a massive importer of olive oil. An artificial hill (mount Testaccio) was built with discarded amphora shreds, most of which had been used for olive oil. Most of this oil came from Spain. Northwest Africa was also another important exporter. Olive oil was produced all over the Mediterranean. Wine was a major item of trade and was produced around the Mediterranean, Turkey and Syria were important exporters) in Gaul and even in Britain and southern Germany.
Besides grain, olive oil and wine, Spain exported gold, silver and other metals, timber and horses. Gaul exported glass, wine and wool. Britannia exported metals, wool and pottery. Turkey and Syria exported timber, wool, and horses. Greece exported manufactures. Egypt exported cotton, linen, papyrus, ivory, gemstones, ebony, ostrich feathers, leopard skins, lions, leopards and elephants. Marble, granite, alabaster and porphyry were also traded for construction.
Roman trade also reached Arabia, which exported incense and spices. Nabataea (Jordan) acted as a trade route for incense, perfumes and spices from Arabia and the Red Sea to Syria, where they were shipped to Rome from Antioch, in Syria. The Persians, acted as intermediaries for the trade with China and India, via the Silk Roads which though Asia, which crossed the Persian Empire. China exported mainly silk, and India exported spices, herbs, sesame oil, sugar, limes, peaches, ebony, pearls and wild animals (tigers, elephants, and snakes which were used for circus-type animal acts). There was also seaborne trade between Egypt and southern India via the Red Sea and the Indian ocean, which used the monsoon winds. Indonesian spices also reached the Roman Empire via this route. The growth of trade though the Red Sea also led to the Kingdom of Axum (Eritrea and northern Ethiopia) becoming an intermediary along this trade route. Axum also became the exporter of inland African good, ivory, ebony and exotic animals (elephants, rhinos, giraffes and ostriches) and of salt, gold, iron and slaves.
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∙ 10y ago
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∙ 11y agowere becoming wealthier and had more money to spend.
In addition to the above, the Roman trade network grew because the Empire expanded and in these regions of expansion were farm crops, example: Egypt provided large quantities of crops. Trade grew with areas that were wealthy in precious metals and jewels. The trade network was by sea and on by land. Land trade was facilitated by the excellent network of roads which provided reliable means of the transportation of goods and other materials. Sea trade with an expanded fleet of ships travelled all over the Mediterranean and even to Briton and Ireland. There are few good natural ports in Italy, so the Romans built an artificial port only 16 miles away from Rome where the Tiber reaches the sea.
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∙ 8y agoImperial expansion (Rome had the second largest empire antiquity saw), a policy of tolerance towards the conquered peoples, a taxation regime which did not hamper private enterprise, the construction of roads, bridges and ports around the empire and the Roman coins acting as a common currency. Political stability was also an important factor. The empire's trading networks thrived during the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative political stability. This was followed by a period of military anarchy which saw trade collapse.
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∙ 12y agoThey were becoming wealthier and had more money to spend on goods
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Which fact about Roman coins best demonstrates the extensive reach of the Roman trade network?
Some Roman coins have been found in China.
What helped roman trade?
Ancient Roman trade was enhanced by a superior form of transport that facilitated commercial trading. The network of Roman roadways offered a superior way to transport goods by land to many different areas that the massive 50,000 miles of roadways provided. Sea trade was also enhanced by the Roman naval fleet that help keep the Mediterranean Sea free of pirates. Roman trade was also helped by its conquests of other nations that opened up new markets and whose wealth supplied Rome with purching power.
What were three reasons did roman engineers build a network of roads?
Three of the reasons were for more rapid troop movement, to connect the provinces, and to ease travel and trade.
The War of 1812 began because the British were interfering with American trade and for what other reason?
The War of 1812 began because the British were not only interfering with American trade, but they were also impressing American seaman. This means that the British were forcing the American seaman to join the British military.
How did the collapse of western roman empire led to feudalism?
when western Rome fell, there was more land to be had, so the people from the other European countries began fighting over it, so they began using feudalism as a means of estate trade.
Roman network used for trade and transportation?
trade route
Which ocean did the trade network that began in East Africa stretch?
Indian ocean
Which fact about Roman coins best demonstrates the extensive reach of the Roman trade network?
Some Roman coins have been found in China.
What united Asia into a vast trade network?
Which empire united Asia into a vast trade network?
What is a trade network?
A system of people in different lands who trade goods back and forth is known as a trade network.
What were some reason for European Exploration that led them to the North American continent?
The main reason Europeans were exploring was that they were looking for a new trade route to the far east. They began exploring the North American continent in the hopes of finding things to take back and trade.
What accomplishments helped Roman culture spread during the time of the Roman Empire?
During the time of the Roman Empire, various Roman accomplishments led to the spreading of Roman culture. The vast network of roads, as well as the abundant (and well-protected) sea trade, that was built up was just one of these accomplishments.
What helped roman trade?
Ancient Roman trade was enhanced by a superior form of transport that facilitated commercial trading. The network of Roman roadways offered a superior way to transport goods by land to many different areas that the massive 50,000 miles of roadways provided. Sea trade was also enhanced by the Roman naval fleet that help keep the Mediterranean Sea free of pirates. Roman trade was also helped by its conquests of other nations that opened up new markets and whose wealth supplied Rome with purching power.
What were three reasons did roman engineers build a network of roads?
Three of the reasons were for more rapid troop movement, to connect the provinces, and to ease travel and trade.
The War of 1812 began because the British were interfering with American trade and for what other reason?
The War of 1812 began because the British were not only interfering with American trade, but they were also impressing American seaman. This means that the British were forcing the American seaman to join the British military.
How did the Huron Indians run their trade network?
Huron Indians run their trade network among the American Indians
When was Baltic Sea Trade Union Network created?
Baltic Sea Trade Union Network was created in 1999.
