Trade with nearby colonies was vital to the development of Rome. At the height of the Roman Empire the population of Rome was estimated to be around 1 million people. In order to sustain the population, trade and commerce became a necessity.
- The Roman Empire traded by land and by sea
o Their sea routes spanned throughout the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
o The two main reasons for building roads was to facilitate trade and movement of the Roman Army.
- Rome’s main trading partners were Spain, France, the Middle East, and North Africa
- Trade in the Roman Empire was encouraged by many years of peace
- Rome imported a variety of goods such as: beef, corn, iron, leather, marble, silk, silver, spices, tin and wine.