Periplus of the Erythraean Sea

Periplus Maris Erythraei ( " coasting trade of the Red Sea ") is the title of a book from the 1st century AD, the ports, terms of trade and flow of goods along the trade routes to the Northeast African, Arab and Indian Coast describes and therefore for the study of economic History and Geography of East Africa in ancient times is a source of the first rank. It is thematically throughout the surviving ancient literature unique. A copy of the 10th century, is now at Heidelberg.

The work appears to have been written between 40 and 70 AD by an experienced commercial traveler. The author of the text written in the Greek language is well acquainted with the former Egyptian capital, Alexandria. Egypt was at that time a Roman province and was at the center of a flourishing long-distance trade.

Unlike other Periploi ancient times, sea routes descriptions along the coastline, the Periplus Maris Erythraei provides much more information. With accounting accuracy port to port, the most important transshipment goods listed and evaluated opportunities and risks of the local trade in goods. Here, the writer specifically addresses needs, tastes and preferences of customers and gives advice to quantity, quality and features of goods that could be deposited in the various ports.

Coveted goods from the Roman world were thus, for example, food, wine, horses, metal and textiles, but also luxury goods such as jewelry, glass, beads and cosmetics. In exchange unloaded the cargo ships spices, silk and gems. Unlike ordinary travel and experience reports, the author focuses entirely on the current market aspects of his time, who were for the domestic owners of importance.