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The Romans discovered oriental spices in the first half of the 3th century BC, following the conquest of Magna Grecia. From then on, its consumption gradually increased among the elites and caused, despite the criticism from the most conservative sectors of the society, a growing of strong currency. Spices circulated between the Far East and the eastern Mediterranean along two networks of land and sea routes. Rome tried to increase its control over these routes with variable results. The growing consumption of exotic condiments was reflected in Apicio’s cookbook, literature and imperial customs tarifs. After the fall of Western Empire, the supply of spices, in both Mediterranean basins, was reduced and lost variety, but did not collapse. After bottoming in the second quarter of the 7th century, following the Islamic expansion, trade was reactivated by different circuits to those created by Rome.
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