From Sharjah to Rome: the treasures of the Spice Route on display at the Roman Forum

Rome welcomes a journey through the history of trade between East and West with the exhibition From Sharjah to Rome along the Spice Route, set up in the Curia Iulia in the heart of the Roman Forum. The initiative is a collaboration between the Colosseum Archaeological Park and the Sharjah Archaeological Authority, with the support of Sheikh Sultan bin Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah.

The exhibition, curated by Eisa Yousif and Francesca Boldrighini, offers a novel look at the archaeological riches of the Emirate of Sharjah. Located in the central part of the Oman Peninsula, this region boasted a strategic location along the ancient caravan routes that connected India and China to the Mediterranean and Rome. In particular, the cities of Mleiha and Dibba, which flourished between the Hellenistic age and the early centuries of the Roman Empire, were key points of intense exchange of goods and cultures.

Through precious artifacts found in the necropolises and settlements, the exhibition chronicles an era of extraordinary cultural openness. Exhibits include wine amphorae from Rhodes and Italy, Mesopotamian and Persian pottery vessels, fine alabaster ointments from Arabia and glassware from the eastern Mediterranean, as well as jewelry and ivory combs from India. Striking evidence of Hellenistic influence is represented by statuettes of Aphrodite and dedications to the deity al-Lat, while monetary circulation is documented by the presence of Indo-Greek and Roman coins, both original and locally produced. A vivid fresco of a cosmopolitan and dynamic society, capable of interweaving cultures and traditions from every corner of Eurasia.

Alongside the objects, the exhibition is enhanced by a short catalog and immersive video projection, which highlight the importance of trade between Rome and the East. Spices, including frankincense, were among the most coveted and regulated commodities by imperial power. The echo of these ancient exchanges still resonates in the Roman Forum, where the Horrea Piperataria, warehouses built under Domitian for storing pepper and other spices, recently restored and made accessible to the public by the Colosseum Archaeological Park, are located.

“With this new exhibition, the Colosseum Archaeological Park intends to continue the path of popularization and scientific research by expanding it to the Mediterranean and international dimensions,” comments Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. “The links between Arabia and the Mediterranean area are ancient, and trade helped expand the connections between the two regions, shaping the history of the Mediterranean and Near East for centuries.”

“We hope this exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to explore a shared global history: these objects are not just silent relics; they are vibrant stories that tell us how civilizations and cities like Rome and Sharjah established ties that stretched thousands of miles,” says Eisa Yousif, curator of the exhibition and director of the Sharjah Archaeological Authority.

Sharjah’s history is deeply intertwined with these millennia-old exchanges. Traces of human settlements dating back to the Paleolithic period testify to a continuous presence until the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. In particular, during the Mleiha period (3rd century B.C.-3rd century A.D.), the area became a strategic crossroads along the Maritime Silk Road, an essential junction between Egypt, Greece, Rome and Asia. Not only were spices and luxury goods traded here, but a cultural and religious exchange also took place that deeply enriched the societies of the time.

Frankincense, produced in Arabia, was one of the most valuable goods that reached Rome via the Omani peninsula. Used for religious, medical and food purposes, its trade was regulated by the state with very strict rules. Not surprisingly, Emperor Domitian had special warehouses, the Horrea Piperataria, built in the Roman Forum to store this aromatic treasure along with other spices such as pepper, while the Porticus Margaritaria was dedicated to the pearl trade.

The archaeological site of Mleiha has returned important evidence from this era. Vast cemeteries with monumental tombs, belonging to the most influential members of the community, surrounded by more modest burials have been found here. One of the most significant discoveries, made in 2015, concerns a monumental tomb dating to the 3rd-1st century B.C., built of plastered gypsum bricks and characterized by an “H”-shaped plan. A bilingual inscription in Sudarabic and Aramaic, engraved on a brick in the structure, identified the deceased as a royal inspector of the kingdom of Oman. This find is particularly relevant because it provides one of the earliest historical records of the Omani kingdom, which was later mentioned in texts such as Periplus Maris Erythraei and Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia.

Among the artifacts that emerged from the excavations are a wine amphora from Rhodes, a bronze bowl decorated with Hellenistic, African and Arabic motifs, and a bronze wine set, a sign of a refined society with a strong tradition of trade with the Mediterranean. The connections between the Arab world and Rome were not only limited to trade, but also extended to cultural and political influence.

The importance of Arab trade routes to Rome was reflected in the expansionist policies of the empire. As early as 24 B.C., the prefect of Egypt Aelius Gallus was sent by Augustus to Arabia with the aim of opening new routes to India, aiming for direct control of imports of spices and luxury goods. According to Pliny the Elder, some 3,000 tons of frankincense, as well as large quantities of ivory, silk, pearls, pepper and myrrh, arrived in Rome each year. Roman ships carried textiles, coral, jewelry, glass and precious metals in return, creating a thriving and highly profitable trade.

For all information, you can visit the official website of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

From Sharjah to Rome: the treasures of the Spice Route on display at the Roman Forum

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.