Pliny the Elder expressed horror at the massive outflow of wealth to India, estimating that the empire lost at least 55 million sesterces annually to satisfy a burgeoning appetite for luxury goods, particularly among Roman women.
The Indian textiles, especially lightweight muslins and intricately crafted cottons, became the foremost luxury items valued in Rome, indicating a robust trade relationship despite Pliny's criticisms of their influence on Roman culture and economy.
By the first century BC, the craving for Indian pepper transcended social ranks, even reaching the Roman soldiers stationed at Hadrian's Wall, highlighting the significant role of Indian spices in daily Roman life.
During this era, India also garnered a reputation for its invaluable gems and handicrafts, with Roman elites showcasing their wealth through extravagant collections of Indian emeralds and pearls, demonstrating the balanced spectacle of trade and cultural exchange.
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