Until travel became more efficient for example air planes spices had to get shipped from India and the far east.
The ancient Europeans used spices to preserve food and add flavor to the bland foods.
Spices.
For spices
Spices
For spices
Spices and silk
Europeans did not have direct access to them.
Silk, spices,and perfumes
They went west
Spices
Europeans were most intrested in spices from Asia.
Europeans wanted to buy spices, gold and other goods.