Drop the anchor , weigh the sail and prepare to embark on tour of Rome. But first please comply with the Italian officials. First we visit the Roman authority of historic trade.             WELCOME TO THE ROMAN TRADE PAGE!                      Trade was vital to Ancient Rome. The Empire cost a huge sum of money to maintain and trade brought in much of that money. The population of the city of Rome was one million and such a vast population required many  things that could only be got from distant lands ,So people had to turn to trade to get these items.                   The Roman Empire was criss-crossed with trade routes. There were sea routes that covered the Mediterranean and Black Seas and numerous land routes using the roads built by the Romans. Trade and moving the Roman Army around were the two principle reasons for building roads.                 The Romans did what they could to make sea journeys safe - lighthouses were built as were safe harbours and docks. The Roman Navy did what it could to make the Mediterranean Sea safe from pirates.                   The most important port was Ostia as it was the nearest major port to Rome itself. Ostia was situated at the mouth of the River Tiber and was only 15 miles from Rome. Many ships traveled between Ostia and the major North African city of Carthage, a journey that took between three and five days. Ships also arrived from Spain and France at Ostia. All their goods could be quickly moved to Rome itself as  it was only 15miles from Rome . Ironically, Ostia was to play a major part in the downfall of Rome when Alaric the Goth captured Ostia in AD 409 knowing that this would starve Rome of much needed food.                    The Romans made trade as easy as possible. There was only one currency used and there were no complicating customs dues. Trade was also encouraged by many years of peace within the Empire. Trade was vital to the success of the Empire. When the Empire collapsed, trade throughout the lands that had once made up the Roman Empire, also collapsed. The Mediterranean Sea became a dangerous place for merchants as there were no powers to control the activities of pirates who marauded as far north as the English Channel.   What was acquired from where?                    The Romans imported a whole variety of materials: beef, corn, glassware, iron, lead, leather, marble, olive oil, perfumes, purple dye, silk, silver, spices, timber, tin and wine. The main trading partners were  the Spaniards, Franks,  the Middle Easterners and the North Africans.                   Britain exported lead,  woollen products and tin. In return, it imported from Rome wine, olive oil, pottery and papyrus. British merchants relied on the Romans to provide security within the Empire. When this collapsed (when Rome was invaded by Goths) and Europe was seemingly overrun by Barbarians, no one could guarantee traders that their goods would get through. Also, without the power of Rome, who would be willing to buy what was produced in Britain and other parts of Europe, whose chief trade partner was Rome itself. .   Our Next Stop will be the Historic Roman Naval Headquarters.