The hill and forest products of the Tamiḻakam: communication and exchange between southern India and the Roman world

Matthew, Cobb (2025) The hill and forest products of the Tamiḻakam: communication and exchange between southern India and the Roman world. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies. ISSN 1479-0270 (Submitted)

Text Cobb, Matthew (2025) The hill and forest products of the Tamiḻakam.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Available under License CC-BY Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This article examines the historical significance of links between the Roman Empire and southern India through the exchange of a series of goods coming from the Tamiḻakam, namely black pepper, ivory and a variety of gemstones. Particular consideration is given to role of the vēntar in the flow of goods between the coastal and interior regions of the Tamiḻakam. It is argued the relationships which existed between local elites and merchants (including “cross-cultural brokers” inhabiting trade diaspora) from the Mediterranean world helped facilitate this international exchange. This contrasts with the dearth of concrete evidence for more formal diplomatic relations between the Mūvēntar (the traditional term for the three Tamil Kings) and the Roman state.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D051 Ancient History D History General and Old World > D History (General) D History General and Old World > DS Asia
Divisions:	Institutes and Academies > Institute of Education and Humanities > Academic Discipline: Humanities and Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Matthew Cobb
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2025 15:31
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2025 13:58
URI:	https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/3629

Administrator Actions (login required)

Edit Item - Repository Staff Only