Page:The history of medieval Europe.djvu/70

34 THE HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE commerce freer and easier than before between the various countries composing it. Trade was facilitated by the fine roads and the widespread prevalence of peace. Yet, aside from the imperial post reserved exclu- sively for military and government purposes, the Romans had neither a letter nor parcels post, and neither transpor- tation nor express companies of any considerable size. We know little of ancient merchant vessels except that they were usually small and not especially seaworthy. Despite all this, there was a good deal of trade with distant India, and even some interchange of goods with China; and the balance of trade seems to have been against the Empire, which received from the East such costly wares as silks r spices, medicinal herbs, and gems. Wild beasts for the arena came from central Africa, while Belgic Gaul was already known for its draught-horses. The table of the rich epicure at Rome often included dishes drawn from distant points o r the Empire, such as oysters from Britain, fish from the Black Sea, game from Asia Minor and the ^Egean Archi- pelago, hams from Gaul, fruit from North Africa, dates from Egypt, and nuts from Spain. Staple articles of trade all over the Empire were grain, timber, metals, skins, leather, wool, cattle, slaves, purple dye, wines, and olive oil. The products of the vine and olive tree played a great part in Mediterranean life. The first squeeze of the olive press gave oil fit for food, the second for ointment, the third for illumi- nation, and what was left could be burned as fuel. In the early fourth century we have listed in the city of Rome twenty-three hundred places where olive oil was sold as against only two hundred and fifty-four bakeries. Within the Empire the merchant usually accompanied his goods by land or sea and sold them himself in some distant port or inland town. One might, however, buy a share in a ship or other com- mercial venture; and there were partnerships and business Capital corporations, which were perhaps more often and interest f orme d for purposes of banking or of taking over from the State the contract of collecting the taxes in this or