Consider the following statement, and choose the correct answer from the codes given below :

Assertion (A): The Romans had trade contact with Tamil country and nearly 6 lakhs gold coins were transacted which led to the economic drain of the country.

Reason (R): Roman Trade declined after the death of Nero in 68 B.C.

The correct answer is (A) and (R) are correct, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Key Points

• Trade between Tamils and Romans
  • The economy of the ancient Tamil country was agriculture, weaving, pearl fishery, manufacturing, and construction.
  • Paddy was the important staple cereal and served as a medium of exchange for inland trade.
  • Pepper, millets, grams, and sugarcane were commonly grown crops for export.
  • The main imports were glass, coral, wine, and topaz.
  • This foreign trade brought a large amount of internationally convertible Roman currency to the country.
  • The trade started with the accession of Augustus in 27 BCE and ended in 68 CE.

Additional Information

• Nero
  • Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus was a Roman ruler.
  • He was the fifth and the last Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
  • He died in 68 CE.