Economy of ancient Tamil country trade. Industrial activity flourished. Inland trading was conducted primarily through barter in busy market places by merchant associations and commercial lending institutions. Merchants formed associations that operated autonomously, without interference from the state. The people of ancient Tamil country engaged in brisk overseas trade with Rome; the trade reached a peak after the discovery of a direct route for merchant ships between Tamilakam and Egypt, taking advantage of the monsoon winds. Pepper, pearls, ivory, textiles and gold ornaments were exported from Tamilakam, and the main imports were luxury goods such as glass, coral, wine and topaz. Foreign trade brought in
Austrian Chronicle of the 95 Rulers these Cod. 2820 foll. 33ra–171vb in the Austrian National Library). In the 16th and 17th centuries, the popularity of the chronicle waned rapidly due to its assumed fictional content, and it remained unedited until the early 20th century. Since its edition, it has played a certain role in pseudohistory, in particular in US American Biblical literalism, in publications such as those of Herman L. Hoeh and Herbert W. Armstrong Austrian Chronicle of the 95 Rulers The Austrian Chronicle of the 95 Rulers ("Österreichische Chronik von den 95 Herrschaften ") of Leopold von Wien (formerly known as Leopold Steinreuter) of Vienna