Spices and Late-Medieval European Ideas of Scarcity and Value

Vocabulary flashcards to review key terms and concepts related to spices and economic theories in late-medieval Europe.

Scarcity

A state in which a resource is limited in availability, leading to high value.

Economic Value

The worth of a good or service determined by the market demand and supply.

Isidore of Seville

A scholar whose Etymologies provided a mix of factual and mythological accounts of various substances, including spices.

Pepper

A spice traditionally associated with danger in its harvesting, described by ancient scholars as being guarded by snakes.

Exotic Commodities

Goods that are foreign and valued for their rarity and luxurious nature, often seen in the spice trade.

Herodotus

Ancient historian who documented the challenges in collecting fragrant products, contributing to myths surrounding their origins.

Fabulous Origins

Legends associated with valuable goods that enhance their desirability, often linked to adventure and danger.

Columbus

Explorer who sought a direct route to India, driven by the demand for spices.

Cultural Value

The significance assigned to commodities based on societal norms and practices influencing perception beyond economic factors.

Pliny the Elder

Roman author whose works on natural history contributed to the understanding and mythology surrounding spices.