The Incense Route: Frankincense and Myrrh Trade in Ancient Arabia

Before silk and spices dominated the overland trade, frankincense and myrrh were the most valuable commodities in the ancient world. These aromatic resins, harvested only in southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa, drove a vast network of desert caravans, maritime shipping, and political intrigue. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Incense Route — the trade that made kingdoms like the Sabaeans, Hadramawt, and Qataban immensely wealthy. They discuss the legendary 'Incense Port' of Sumhuram (Khor Rori) in modern Oman, the role of the king of Saba' in controlling production, and the Roman demand that reshaped the Arabian economy. They also touch on the mysterious 'Lost City of Ubar' (Iram of the Pillars), described in the Quran and sought by archaeologists. How did a few drops of tree sap fund temples, armies, and empires? And what caused the decline of this ancient luxury trade? #Frankincense #Myrrh #IncenseRoute #Sabaeans #Hadramawt #Qataban #Sumhuram #KhorRori #Ubar #IramofthePillars #AncientArabia #SouthArabia #Periplus #PlinytheElder #Aromatics #DesertTrade #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo