1. Introduction -- 2. The Red Sea Trade in Egypt -- 3. The Arabian incense trade -- 4. The trade of Palmyra -- 5. Trade in Syria and the north -- 6. The long-distance trade and the imperial government -- 7. Conclusion -- App. A. Prices of goods of the eastern trade at Rome in the first century AD -- App. B. Silver content of Nabatean and Roman coins in the first century AD -- App. C. Inscriptions referring to Palmyrene military activities AD 132-225 -- App. D. The career of Septimius Odaenathus and the status of Palmyra, AD 251-267.