Some of the core ancient maritime trade routes were those in the Mediterranean — a sea that was the heart of several ancient civilisations and an essential nexus for trade and cultural exchange.
The Mediterranean’s relatively calm waters and the abundance of islands and natural harbours make it a natural hub for maritime activity.
Encompassing an area that stretches from the Strait of Gibraltar in the west to the Levantine coast in the east, the Mediterranean was therefore of paramount importance to ancient trade.
It was the crossroads where Europe, Asia, and Africa met, and around its shores, the ancient Phoenician, Greek, and Roman civilisations flourished.