Trade in the Roman Empire

As the Roman Empire grew, so did its trade relations, thanks to its extensive road network and the establishment of river and sea ports. In ancient times, the most important commodities included Egyptian grain, wine from the Mediterranean region, olive oil, and fermented spicy fish sauce (garum). Exotic fruits (dates, figs, lemons, apricots, cherries), spices (silphium, pepper, saffron), precious metals, marble, ivory, ebony, amber from the Baltic region, expensive fabrics (Chinese silk) and perfumes, and we must not forget about shipments of millions of slaves. Pannonia’s main exports were agricultural products, grain (barley, millet), cattle, leather, wood products, and iron. In addition to imported raw materials and everyday items/products (bronze, glass, and ceramic decorative vessels, etc.) from distant and neighbouring provinces, Pannonia mainly received live animals and slaves from the Barbaricum region.

Katalin Kurucz – Nikoletta Varga (English translation: Edit Sárosi)