Secrets of Ancient Empires: The First Merchants (2001)

The common thread that joined all great ancient powers was the need to trade. This episode of Secrets of Ancient Empires explains how trade was carried out across continents long before a single road was constructed. Nor was it only raw materials that were common currency,the program reveals how luxury items such as honey, jewelry and opium were bought and sold across the world via a complex network of trade routes.