A Question of Luxury: Trading Animals and Animal Parts Across the Indian Ocean
Wildlife and their parts formed an important part of trade across the Indian Ocean from the early Roman imperial period. Multiple species are noted to have crossed as part of trade networks and there is evidence that volumes of goods such as ivory, tortoise shell, and red coral were both available and shipped in large volumes from a variety of ports. Though there is limited evidence that live animals crossed in any significant numbers, there are indications that demand for “exotic” live animals from India and East Africa existed in Rome for the purposes of public spectacle and for domestic purposes. These are noted to have led to the appearance of animals such as Indian hounds, peafowl, parrots, monkeys, and others that are attributed to the trade across the Indian Ocean. Likewise, this demand is noted to have existed at such high levels that it led to the decline of many Mediterranean species. In terms of animal parts, it is often argued that this formed part of a trade in predominantly “luxury” items due in part to their high values. This dissertation will seek to challenge this notion by specifically examining the political, social, and cultural drivers of trade in wildlife and their parts across the Indian Ocean. Due to the number of goods involved in the trade a focus will be placed on the examples of red coral, tortoise and turtle shell, and “exotic” live animals. Together these goods present different aspects of demand in Indian Ocean markets and in Rome and are illustrative of multiple, layered drivers that present a more complex picture than the label of luxury products alone can explain. In brief, demand for these goods existed on both sides of the Indian Ocean for a multitude of reasons including but not limited to medicinal, religious, societal, and cultural purposes. Literary and archaeological evidence of the trade will be examined. Specific texts such as the The Periplus Maris Erythraei and the Arthaśāstra are of particular importance as are other sources such as ancient geographers and poets. In addition, a material culture approach will allow more in-depth scrutiny of the value of wildlife parts in particular. While political drivers remain relevant for the trade in live animals for displays in public spectacle, as does the desire to obtain exotic items as a display of status, it is argued these were not of the utmost importance for the bulk of trade in the noted items. As will be illustrated demand for wildlife on both sides of the Indian Ocean certainly served the purposes of elite classes, but permeated beyond them.
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