Muziris was not just a port; it was a crossroads of cultures. Greek geographers called it “an emporium of trade,” while travelers from faraway lands marveled at its wealth and sophistication. Roman historian Pliny the Elder wrote about Muziris as a thriving hub for spices — especially pepper, which was known as “black gold” in the Roman world. Archaeologists have unearthed Roman coins, amphorae, and beads along the Periyar River, evidence of a trading network that spanned continents. Traders from Arabia, Egypt, China, and Greece mingled with local rulers, exchanging goods, knowledge, and stories.