Asian Review of Books Roger Crowley, "Spice: The 16th-Century Contest that Shaped the Modern World" (Yale UP, 2024)
Aug 1, 2024
Roger Crowley, a narrative historian and author, dives into the cutthroat world of the 16th-century spice trade, where cloves were as valuable as gold. He discusses the Portuguese and Spanish maritime rivalries that led to crucial conquests and the establishment of the Manila Galleon Trade, which became a cornerstone of global commerce. Crowley also highlights how earlier navigational innovations and cultural exchanges shaped the modern world, illustrating a fascinating tapestry of exploration that persists in our global economy today.
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Geographic Uniqueness of Spice Islands
- The Spice Islands consist of around 1,000 islands, about 500 miles wide and 1,000 miles deep, now part of Indonesia.
- They uniquely produce cloves and nutmeg only found on a few tiny islands, making them extremely valuable.
Why Spices Were Valuable
- Spices had a talismanic quality in Europe, being rare, exotic and highly prized for scent, culinary use, and supposed medicinal properties.
- They were lightweight, durable, and symbolized wealth, cheering up dull medieval food and impressing nobles.
Portuguese Tactics in Spice Islands
- The Portuguese used firearms and divided local rulers to establish control over the Spice Islands.
- Despite having few men, their military advantage allowed domination by leveraging conflicts among local parties.
