By the periodical assistance of the monsoons, they traversed the ocean in about forty days.

The coast of Malabar, or the island of Ceylon, [102] was the usual term of their navigation, and it was in those markets that the merchants from the more remote countries of Asia expected their arrival.

The return of the fleet of Egypt was fixed to the months of December or January; and as soon as their rich cargo had been transported on the backs of camels, from the Red Sea to the Nile, and had descended that river as far as Alexandria, it was poured, without delay, into the capital of the empire.

[103] The objects of oriental traffic were splendid and trifling; silk, a pound of which was esteemed not inferior in value to a pound of gold; [104] precious stones, among which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond; [105] and a variety of aromatics, that were consumed in religious worship and the pomp of funerals.

The labor and risk of the voyage was rewarded with almost incredible profit; but the profit was made upon Roman subjects, and a few individuals were enriched at the expense of the public.