Berenike and the Ancient Maritime Spice Route (California World History Library): Volume 18

This volume chronicles the excavation of Berenike, an ancient Egyptian port and a gateway for Roman subjects making epic trade voyages into the Indian Ocean. The book is an intriguing read, an accessible account full of fascinating finds and careful analysis that are supported by plenty of detailed maps and a large bibliography that researchers new to the subject will find very useful.The modern site of ancient Berenike, on the shores of the Red Sea, is an abandoned desert ruin buried beneath centuries of sand and silt. But, since 1994 Professor Sidebotham has led an international team of researchers in the excavation of the port. The study presented in this book combines testimony from the sources with a range of extraordinary new archaeological discoveries - many of which will be little known, even to experts who have been following the topic.In thirteen detailed chapters, Professor Sidebotham traces the development of Berenike and its place within the `global economy' that developed two thousand years ago. Sidebotham offers many intriguing insights into life at the ancient port, from its foundation by the Ptolemaic rulers who built a harbour to bring in war elephants, to the rise and fall of Rome's vibrant international commerce. His inquiries reveal the conditions of travel along the busy caravan routes that linked Berenike to the Nile, the role of the Roman military in the Eastern Desert, the conduct of ancient business arrangements in Berenike, and even the presence of distant foreigners at the port. Other important chapters consider the network of trade ports that linked Berenike to ancient India and suggest what new archaeological evidence can reveal about the Roman ships that undertook these distant voyages. Finally, Professor Sidebotham introduces some new theories concerning the scale and value of this international commerce - ideas that have significant implications for the Roman economy and its revenues. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone studying Roman commerce, or to those with an interest in ancient archaeology."

The book discusses the importance of Berenike, the contacts with other parts of the ancient world and the ancient trade. Very interesting and full of information.