Name:Date:

ss/block: Roman Trade RoutesMrs. McGann

Goods were continually transported throughout the Roman Empire. Themost effective way to transport goods was by sea. The type of ship commonly used by the Romans was known as a Corbitas. It is described as "a round-hulled ship with curving prow and stern. Depending on its size, it could carry cargo weighing between 70 and 350 ton" (Snedden 1998, pg. 41). Ships could carry as many as six hundred passengers or six thousand amphorae (clay jars) of wine, oil, or other liquids. Ships transported more goods in a shorter amount of time than could be moved overland. One of the largest harbors was at Ostia, about 15 miles from Rome on the Mediterranean Coast. In 50 CE, a lighthouse was set up at Ostia to guide sailors. At its peak, Rome set up lighthouses in forty different locations to aid sailors. Pompey the Great promised the senate that the pirate threat on the Mediterranean Sea would be eliminated. When the threat was removed, Rome was able to get its much needed grain shipments for its citizens.

16-21 days / Alexandria to Ostia
9-10 days / Alexandria to Antichia
10-12 days / Byzantium to Gaza
3-5 days / Ostia to Carthago
9-10 days / Ostia to Gades
20 days / Rome to Caesaria

Rymer, Eric. "Roman Trade Routes."Shipping in Ancient Rome.N.p., 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. <

  1. According to the chart, which trade route(s) took the longest to travel?

Alexandria to Ostia & Rome to Caesaria

  1. Look at the map. According to the map (not the chart), traveling between which two locations would take the longest? Explain how you know.

Gades to Trapezus

  1. Name the location that is furthest:

north:Aquileia

south:Alexandria

east:Trapezus

west:Gades

  1. According to the map, which port was the busiest? ___Ostia__Draw a star there.
  1. Why do you think it was faster to transport goods via ship rather than land?

Traveling by land was slower due to lack of speed (traveling on foot takes longer), less goods could be transported at a time (due to weight) and many locations required bodies of water to be crossed (this required items for both land and water travel). Once the pirates were eliminated, traveling by sea became much easier than land.

  1. Think back to the Roman Republic; why did Rome need to start importing grains (especially wheat) for its citizens?

Romans needed to import grains (wheat especially) because once latifundias were established, wheat was no longer grown and had to be imported. This happened b/c farms were destroyed during the 2nd Punic War.

  1. Besides getting new goods, what impact might trade have upon people?

Trade helps the economy grow (more $ and jobs); spreads culture & ideas; increased communication