Spice History

According to the map and three passages I have analyzed, "The Spice Route of Greco-Roman Times", "Worth Its Weight in Pepper?", "Revival of the Spice Route", and "Spotlight on Saffron", spices have had a great influence on our lives today. All of the articles I have analyzed present history within spices and their origins. However, not all of these articles provide an abundance of cultural information on spices. The map titled "The Spice Route of Greco-Roman Times" includes great detail of the historical importance of spices by displaying a visual aide. The visual aide dislays the exact route explorers have took to "Spice Island". Although it does not display loads of cultural importance, the map goes into detail by including two different
In paragraph six, the author infers that spices had a vast influence on trade history. It states that "for about 2,000 years leading up to the 15th century, merchants from the Middle East and North Africa controlled the spice trade." The passage goes on to say how Europeans did not have access to long-distance trading, and couldn't buy spices off of the people who grew them. This describes how the amount of people receiving spice was far from abundant. A cultural importance the passage displays is the way people use spices in and on food. Ancients used spices to preserve meat, as well as add flavor to a meal. Spices were used to add color and extra richness to food also. Another cultural importance displayed in "Worth Its Weight in Pepper?" is that people would use spices as a fragrance. People would supposedly add spices to perfumes, air fresheners and personal scents to create an aroma. A cultural importance mentioined in this passage is the use of spices as medicine. The passage states "Healers, doctors, and others used spices used spices in traditional medicine, to treat everything from sleeplessness to stomach upset to a bad cough." This demonstrates how spices were used not only for meat, but to heal
For example, the article explains how the saffron is the official color of Buddhist priest's robes. This shows how the Saffron affected the outcome of what color these priests wear (historical), and it also shows the cultural importance because it affected those of the Buddhist faith. Another cultural importance the passage displays is that saffron was a frequently used ingredient in meals. It is used most often in Mediterranean and Asian dishes. Ancients also used saffron for medical uses. For example, "Spotlight on Saffron" states that, "it was known to ease athma, sleep difficulties, heartburn, and other problems." This shows how some cultures had advanced in medical