Roman Trade in the Indian Ocean: The Maldives, South Indian Ports, and Maritime Networks

A Canvas Painting a Roman galley ship with a full sail, positioned prominently before an antique nautical map and compass. The map features two Roman Denarius coin with Roman figures Augustus 27 BC to AD 14,period.

The Indian Ocean has long served as a vital artery for global trade, connecting the Mediterranean, the Middle East, East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Among the intricate web of maritime trade routes, the Maldives, a strategically located archipelago, played a significant role in facilitating exchanges between Roman merchants and regional traders. The discovery of a Roman denarius in a Buddhist stupa on Toddoo Island in the Maldives underscores the extent of these trade networks, which likely operated through intermediary ports in South India and Southeast Asia. This essay explores the dynamics of Roman trade in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the Maldives, key South Indian ports, and the goods exchanged, such as cowries, ambergris, tortoise shells, fish, corals, pearls, and coir rope. It also examines the cultural and religious exchanges that accompanied these trade networks, particularly the spread of Buddhism along maritime routes.

A Roman Republican Denarius, within a Buddhist stupa excavated in 1958 on Thoddoo Island in the Maldives,

Historical Context of Roman Trade in the Indian Ocean

The Roman Empire, at the height of its economic and political power, sought luxury goods from distant lands to satisfy the demands of its elite. The Indian Ocean, with its monsoon-driven trade routes, provided access to exotic commodities such as spices, gems, textiles, and marine products. Roman merchants, often operating through intermediaries, established connections with Indian and Southeast Asian traders, creating a complex trade network that spanned continents.

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a 1st-century CE Greco-Roman text, provides detailed accounts of the ports, goods, and trade practices in the Indian Ocean. It mentions key South Indian ports such as Barbaricum (modern Karachi), Barygaza (Bharuch in Gujarat), Muziris (Kodungallur in Kerala), Korkai, Kaveripattinam, and Arikamedu (Tamil Nadu), as well as inland centers like Kodumanal. These ports served as hubs for the exchange of goods between Roman traders and local merchants, with the Maldives acting as a crucial link in this maritime system.

The Role of the Maldives in Indian Ocean Trade

The Maldives, an archipelago of over 1,000 coral islands, was strategically located along the Indian Ocean maritime routes. Its position made it an ideal stopover for ships traveling between South Asia, East Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. The islands were not only a transit point but also a source of valuable marine products that were highly sought after in distant markets.

Goods Bartered in the Maldives

The Maldives offered a range of goods that were integral to Indian Ocean trade:

• Cowries: These small shells were widely used as currency in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Maldives was a major supplier of cowries, which were bartered for goods such as textiles, spices, and metals.

• Ambergris: A rare and valuable substance produced by sperm whales, ambergris was prized for its use in perfumery. It was traded to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean markets, where it fetched high prices.

• Tortoise Shells: Tortoise shells were valued for their decorative and utilitarian purposes, particularly in the Roman Empire, where they were used to craft luxury items.

• Fish, Corals, and Pearls: The Maldives' rich marine ecosystem provided an abundance of fish, corals, and pearls, which were exported to South Indian ports and beyond.

• Coir Rope: Made from coconut fibers, coir rope was essential for shipbuilding and rigging. Its durability and resistance to seawater made it a critical commodity for maritime trade.

These goods were bartered for items such as Roman coins, glassware, wine, and textiles, which were brought to the Maldives by Indian and Southeast Asian intermediaries. The discovery of a Roman denarius on Toddoo Island suggests that Roman currency may have circulated in the Maldives, likely as a medium of exchange or as prestige items.

Untold INDIAN Ocean Trade History

South Indian Ports: Centers of Maritime Trade

South Indian ports played a pivotal role in connecting the Maldives to broader Indian Ocean trade networks. These ports were bustling centers of commerce, where goods from the Roman Empire, East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia were exchanged. The following ports were particularly significant:

Barbaricum (Modern Karachi)

Located at the mouth of the Indus River, Barbaricum was a major gateway for trade between the Roman Empire and northwestern India. It facilitated the exchange of goods such as indigo, cotton, and precious stones, which were transported to Mediterranean markets.

Barygaza (Bharuch in Gujarat)

Barygaza, situated on the Narmada River, was one of the most important ports in western India. It was a hub for the trade of textiles, spices, and gems, with Roman merchants exchanging gold and silver coins for Indian goods.

Muziris (Kodungallur in Kerala)

Muziris, on the Malabar Coast, was a thriving port known for its trade in pepper, pearls, and gems. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea describes Muziris as a key destination for Roman ships, which brought wine, glassware, and coins to barter for Indian commodities.

Korkai, Kaveripattinam, and Arikamedu (Tamil Nadu)

These ports on the Coromandel Coast were centers of trade with Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire. Korkai was renowned for its pearl fisheries, while Kaveripattinam and Arikamedu were known for their production of beads, textiles, and pottery. Arikamedu, in particular, has yielded significant archaeological evidence of Roman trade, including amphorae, glassware, and coins.

Kodumanal (Inland City)

Although not a port, Kodumanal was an important inland center for the production of beads, textiles, and metalwork. Its goods were transported to coastal ports for export, linking it to the broader Indian Ocean trade network.

Archaeological Evidence: The Roman Denarius in the Maldives

The discovery of a Roman denarius in a Buddhist stupa on Toddoo Island is a remarkable find that highlights the extent of Roman trade networks. The denarius, a silver coin minted during the Roman Empire, likely reached the Maldives through intermediary trade routes involving South Indian and Southeast Asian merchants. Its presence in a Buddhist stupa suggests that Roman coins were not only used as currency but also held symbolic or religious significance.

Significance of the Find

• Trade Networks: The denarius indicates that Roman currency circulated as far as the Maldives, likely through indirect trade. Indian merchants, who had direct contact with Roman traders, may have brought the coin to the Maldives during their voyages.

• Cultural Exchange: The placement of the coin in a Buddhist stupa reflects the cultural and religious exchanges that accompanied trade. Buddhism, which originated in India, spread across Asia along maritime routes, with the Maldives serving as a node in this network.

• Economic Implications: The use of Roman coins in the Maldives suggests that they were valued as prestige items or as a medium of exchange. However, given the limited number of finds, it is likely that bartering remained the primary mode of trade.