부산대학교 도서관

This paper analyses, with epigraphic and archaeological references, the features of trade and shipping on the western coast of the Black Sea during the ancient period. It starts with the political and military context of Rome's involvement in the area since the late second century BC, before dealing with the Mithridatic crisis, when the focus of Roman policy moved to the Aegean and the Black Sea. This tense political constellation triggered the development of regional trade, analysed on the basis of relevant sources, with a special attention devoted to Tomis, the largest outlet in the area of the mouths of the Danube. The author contends that excellent relations existed with the commercial centres of Asia Minor, more precisely Bithynia. A veritable maritime line from Nicomedia to Tomis acted as a major route between Asia Minor and the Black Sea - Danubian region. During the Roman age, the commercial and transport patterns established from Hellenistic times were preserved, and they continued to co-exist with those specific to the Roman world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]