Page "Colonialism" Paragraph 167

Imperial expansion has been accompanied by economic expansion since ancient times.

Greek trade networks spread throughout the Mediterranean region, while Roman trade expanded with the main goal of directing tribute from the colonized areas towards the Roman metropole.

According to Strabo, by the time of emperor Augustus, up to 120 Roman ships were setting sail every year from Myos Hormos in Roman Egypt to India.

With the development of trade routes under the Ottoman Empire,