Berenike and the ancient maritime spice route / Steven E. Sidebotham.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sidebotham, Steven E.

Series:

California world history library ; 18.

The California world history library ; 18

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Excavations (Archaeology)--Egypt--Barānīs.

Excavations (Archaeology).

Spice trade--Egypt--Barānīs--History--To 1500.

Spice trade.

Trade routes--Egypt--Barānīs--History--To 1500.

Trade routes.

Port cities--Egypt--History--To 1500.

Port cities.

International trade--History--To 1500.

International trade.

Barānīs (Egypt)--Antiquities.

Barānīs (Egypt).

Barānīs (Egypt)--Antiquities, Roman.

Barānīs (Egypt)--Commerce--History.

Eastern Desert (Egypt)--Commerce--History.

Eastern Desert (Egypt).

Barānīs (Egypt)--Social life and customs.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (457 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The legendary overland silk road was not the only way to reach Asia for ancient travelers from the Mediterranean. During the Roman Empire's heyday, equally important maritime routes reached from the Egyptian Red Sea across the Indian Ocean. The ancient city of Berenike, located approximately 500 miles south of today's Suez Canal, was a significant port among these conduits. In this book, Steven E. Sidebotham, the archaeologist who excavated Berenike, uncovers the role the city played in the regional, local, and "global" economies during the eight centuries of its existence. Sidebotham analyzes many of the artifacts, botanical and faunal remains, and hundreds of the texts he and his team found in excavations, providing a profoundly intimate glimpse of the people who lived, worked, and died in this emporium between the classical Mediterranean world and Asia.

Contents:

Geography, climate, ancient authors, and modern visitors

Pre-Roman infrastructure in the Eastern Desert

Ptolemaic diplomatic-military-commercial activities

Ptolemaic and early Roman Berenike and environs

Inhabitants of Berenike in Roman times

Water in the desert and the ports

Nile/Red Sea roads

Other emporia

Merchant ships

Commercial networks and trade costs

Trade in Roman Berenike

Late Roman Berenike and its demise.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613277619

9781283277617

1283277611

9780520948389

0520948386

OCLC:

704275943