Cinnamon Used to Be More Valuable Than Gold
You might think that gold has always been humanity's most precious commodity, but there's another substance that once commanded even greater value – cinnamon. In ancient Rome, a pound of this aromatic spice could cost 300 denarii, equal to ten months of labor for the average worker. When Emperor Nero burned a year's supply at his wife's funeral, he wasn't just expressing grief – he was displaying his immense wealth and power. The story of how this common kitchen spice dominated global trade is fascinating.
The Ancient World's Most Coveted Spice
Cinnamon's legendary status in the ancient world made it one of history's most treasured commodities. You might be shocked to learn that this common kitchen spice was once worth more than its weight in gold.
In fact, you'd need to work for 10 months just to afford a single pound of it in ancient Rome. According to Pliny the Elder, a pound of cinnamon cost 300 denarii. Elaborate myths and legends were created by traders to keep their valuable routes secret.
The cinnamon symbolism was so powerful that it became the perfect gift for pharaohs and gods. You'll find it mentioned in ancient recipes from Rome, where the famous cook Apicius used it extensively.
Even Emperor Nero burned massive amounts at his wife's funeral in 65 CE. The spice wasn't just for cooking – you'd see it in religious ceremonies, funeral rites, and medicine.
Medieval doctors prescribed it for coughs, while ancient Egyptians used it in their mummification process.
Mysterious Origins and Mythical Tales
While ancient peoples treasured cinnamon as a luxury spice, they didn't actually know where it came from. Traders deliberately kept the mystical origins secret to maintain high prices, forcing Europeans to rely on difficult routes from Ceylon.
You might be amazed by the fantastic stories that emerged to explain cinnamon's source. Tales spoke of legendary creatures called Cinnamologus birds that built nests with cinnamon sticks on steep cliffs. Arabian merchants claimed they'd lure these giant birds with ox meat to collect the spice when nests fell. The intersection of myth and commerce shaped how ancient societies viewed this valuable spice trade.
Other stories warned of snake-filled valleys and winged creatures guarding cinnamon trees. Even famous historians like Herodotus and Aristotle spread these myths, though Pliny the Elder remained skeptical. Ancient Romans demonstrated the spice's extreme value when Emperor Nero burned a full year's supply at his wife's funeral.
These tales helped justify cinnamon's astronomical prices to customers.
The Economic Power of Cinnamon Through History
Throughout ancient times, you'd find cinnamon valued as highly as gold and ivory in global markets. The price was staggering – a pound of cinnamon cost about 1,500 denarii, equal to 50 months of a common worker's wages. Early traders like the Radhanite Jewish merchants monopolized much of the Western European spice routes.
Several nations controlled cinnamon cultivation and trade through economic monopolies:
- Arabs dominated early trade routes, keeping cinnamon's source secret to maintain high prices.
- Portuguese seized control of Ceylon in the 16th century, establishing the first European monopoly.
- Dutch traders later took over, destroying competing Indian cinnamon crops to protect their interests.
You can trace cinnamon's decline to the 1800s, when cultivation spread beyond Ceylon to places like Java and the West Indies. Arab merchants would transport the spice by Indonesian rafts to East Africa before it reached Roman markets.
As the spice's mysterious origins were revealed, it transformed from a precious commodity to an everyday pantry staple.
Royal Treasures and Sacred Ceremonies
Beyond its value as a trade commodity, cinnamon played a central role in sacred ceremonies across ancient civilizations.
You'll find this spice featured prominently in royal offerings to gods and deities, from ancient Egyptian temples to Greek religious sanctuaries.
In Egypt, priests used cinnamon during mummification and in ceremonial perfumes meant to honor pharaohs.
The Arab traders' mysterious routes helped maintain cinnamon's mystique and sacred status throughout ancient times.
The spice's ceremonial significance extended into Biblical times, where it was a key ingredient in sacred anointing oils and temple rituals.
When you look at Asian traditions, you'll see cinnamon being used in spiritual practices for cleansing and meditation.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, cinnamon was revered for its cleansing properties and ability to ward off negative energies.
The spice was so precious that it became worthy of royalty – that's why you'll find it mentioned as one of the most valuable gifts in religious texts and royal ceremonies.
The Great Cinnamon Trade Routes
The sacred ceremonies and royal treasures of cinnamon became possible through vast networks of ancient trade routes.
You'll find that cinnamon cultivation in Sri Lanka and India spread across three major paths:
- Maritime routes established by Austronesian sailors to Sri Lanka as early as 1500 BC
- Overland paths through the Silk Road connecting Asia to European markets
- The Cape Route pioneered by Vasco da Gama in 1498, which changed everything
Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient Indonesian traders established thriving maritime networks, with cloves found in Syria dating back to 1721 BC.
The lack of origin knowledge allowed merchants to maintain extremely high prices throughout these expansive trade networks.
Trade regulations were strictly controlled by various powers throughout history.
The Venetians dominated the European market in the 13th century, while the Portuguese, Dutch, and British later fought wars over cinnamon's valuable trade routes.
If you'd traveled these routes yourself, you'd have found Egyptian ports like Mosylon serving as vital trading posts, connecting merchants from the Arabian Peninsula to enthusiastic buyers in the Mediterranean.
From Precious Commodity to Pantry Staple
When ancient Romans valued cinnamon as highly as gold, they couldn't imagine it would become a common kitchen spice. You'd have worked three full days to buy just one pound of cinnamon in 1439, but today you can earn enough for the same amount in less than an hour.
The dramatic shift from luxury to everyday staple happened as global exploration revealed cinnamon's true origins. Better transportation and farming methods increased the supply, making it affordable for everyone. King Solomon's treasures included this precious spice, spurring countless oceanic expeditions and even wars. The ancient Greeks had their own unique way of enjoying this aromatic spice, often mixing it with wine and absinthe.
Now you'll find this versatile spice in both sweet and savory dishes, available as powder or sticks in any grocery store. While cinnamon nutrition wasn't well understood in ancient times, its culinary versatility has made it a must-have in modern kitchens.
The spice that once rivaled gold now costs just a few dollars per pound.
