Commercial Activities of Roman Empire in Erythra Sea

Year 2024, , 359 - 385, 25.09.2024

Rahim Kızgut

https://doi.org/10.33469/oannes.1412235

Abstract

The great states of history often reached a high level of economic prosperity during the periods when they were at the peak of their power. One of the most significant of these states was the Roman Empire, which can be described as the superpower of its era due to its vast trade network. A key hub in this extensive network was the Erythraean Sea, named after King Erythra. Ports were constructed to facilitate trade in this sea, which had been a center of commerce long before the Romans arrived in the region. The Erythraean Sea trade, which benefited greatly from the monsoon winds that aided the movement of ships, reached its height for the Romans during the reign of Emperor Augustus and his successors. Through this sea route, the Romans both exported and imported a wide variety of commodities, with South Arabia and India playing leading roles in these trade relations. The ports and trade centers established in these regions were crucial for the shipment and storage of goods. Muziris, known as the world's first spice trading hub, as well as ports like Leukos Limen, Myos Hormos, and Berenice, were especially prominent. Information about this trade can be gathered from archaeological finds and various written sources, including Tamil poetry. The most important written accounts include the Periplus Maris Erythraei, Naturalis Historia by Pliny, Geographika by Strabo, and Geographia by Ptolemy. These texts, dating from between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, provide valuable insights into the trade dynamics of the period.

Keywords

Erythraean Sea (Red Sea), Trade, Roman Empire, South Arabia, India

Roma İmparatorluğu’nun Erythra Denizi’ndeki Ticari Faaliyetleri

Abstract

Tarihe mal olmuş büyük devletler güçlerinin zirvesine ulaştıkları dönemlerde iktisadi anlamda da çok ileri bir seviye yakalamışlardır. Bu devletlerin en önemlilerinden biri de Roma İmparatorluğu’dur. Roma İmparatorluğu sahip olduğu geniş ticaret ağı ile kendi döneminin süper gücü olarak tanımlanabilir. Bu büyük ağın önemli merkezlerinden biri de adını Kral Erythras’dan alan Erythra Denizi olmuştur. Kökeni Romalılar’ın bölgeye gelişlerinden daha önceye dayanan bu denizdeki ticaretin gelişmesi için limanlar inşa edilmiştir. Özellikle Muson Rüzgârları’nın gemilerin hareketinde sağladığı katkı ile gelişim gösteren Erythra Denizi Ticareti, Romalılar için en yüksek seviyeye ancak İmparator Augustus ve halefleri zamanında ulaşmıştır. Romalılar bu denizi kullanarak pek çok sayıda ve birbirinden farklı emtiayı hem ihraç hem de ithal etmişlerdir. Güney Arabistan ve Hindistan bahsi geçen ticari ilişkilerde ön plana çıkmaktadırlar. Bu ülkelerde kurulan limanlar ve ticaret merkezleri ithalatı ya da ihracatı yapılan malların sevki ve depolanmasında önemli role sahip olmuştur. Özellikle dünyanın bilinen ilk baharat ticareti noktası olan Muziris başta olmak üzere Leukos Limen, Myos Hormos ve Berenice gibi limanlar ön plana çıkmışlardır. Konu ile ilgili verilere arkeolojik buluntular ile içinde Tamil Şiirleri’nin de olduğu yazılı kaynaklar vasıtası ile ulaşmak mümkündür. Sözünü ettiğimiz yazılı kaynakların başında yazarı tam olarak bilinmeyen ve MÖ III-I. yüzyıllar arasında yazıldığı düşünülen Periplus Maris Erythraei, Plinius tarafından yazılan Naturalis Historia, Strabo’un kaleme aldığı Geographika ve Ptolemaios’un eseri Geographia gelmektedir.

Keywords

Erythra Denizi (Kızıldeniz), Ticaret, Roma İmparatorluğu, Güney Arabistan, Hindistan

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