gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, early trade, ancient lapidary, glyptic, Greek, Roman, cameos, intaglios, Egypt

A broad historical study of the political organization, international relations, and commerce of the ancient Carthaginians, Ethiopians, and Egyptians, based on classical literary sources and the geographical and historical scholarship available in the early nineteenth century. Volume 1 deals principally with Carthage and Ethiopia, examining their territories, political systems, colonies, trading networks, and connections with other parts of Africa, the Mediterranean, Arabia, and Asia. Of particular interest to gemological history are Heeren’s discussions of ancient long-distance commerce and the luxury commodities—including gold, precious stones, ivory, and other valuable materials—that moved through African and Arabian trade routes.