214. The Empire of Frankincense & Myrrh

In this episode of the Empire podcast, hosts Afua Hirsch and William Dalrymple are joined by Bettany Hughes to discuss the historical significance of frankincense and myrrh, particularly in relation to the Nabateans. Bettany Hughes, who is currently in the Middle East researching the topic, shares insights about the harvesting of frankincense, its uses in ancient times, and its connection to divinity and trade. The discussion covers the Nabateans' role in the incense trade, their advanced water engineering, their interactions with the Greeks and Romans, and the importance of Petra as a major city built on the wealth generated from these commodities, further exploring the culture, trade practices, and societal structure of the Nabatean civilization.