The route carried more than Asian spices to Europe. Wool, gold, silver, and manufactured goods traveled east, while pepper and other spices moved west. Salt also moved in both directions, although the reason particular varieties justified the voyage remains uncertain. These cargoes kept both legs of the route commercially useful.
Notable Point · 18:22-20:17
What moved east as spices moved west
Named eastbound and westbound cargoes show how merchants kept both legs of the spice route commercially useful.