My doctoral research explores transoceanic trade between the Roman Mediterranean and Indian subcontinent. My project aims to go beyond the iconic moments of exchange in Indo-Mediterranean trade, such as that of Roman gold coins for black peppercorns on the Periyar River in Malabar, and to investigate the consumption of such commodities in new environments. My dissertation considers several commodity cases—Indian spices and gems in the Roman Mediterranean and Roman coins and wine in India—as well as the agents involved in the transport and distribution of these goods throughout the Eurasian world. Through a blend of economic and anthropological approaches, my research seeks to demonstrate how Indian Ocean products adapt to or create new webs of social meaning, induce the formation of imitative industries to meet consumer demand, and articulate the urban environments in which they are consumed. The tastes of consumers, the often-forgotten efforts of human agents, and newfound industries dependent on Indian Ocean imports all interlock to facilitate the ancient consumer experience.