The commercial network linking the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Mediterranean was older than the Roman Empire. Spices, silk, dyes, and other goods moved along overlapping sea and overland routes, while Venice and Genoa profited from their western distribution. Trade moved in both directions because merchants could profit at each end by exchanging goods instead of carrying idle money through multiple currency zones. States and trading cities could tax, redirect, or protect the routes, making commercial geography a source of political power.
Chapter · 4:47-10:03
The spice trade as a strategic system
The pre-battle setting is a lucrative two-way trading system in spices, silk, dyes, and other goods across the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Mediterranean.