Spices have played a huge role in history, though now they can be purchased globally. In ancient times, spices were rare, precious commodities used for medicine, perfumes, and flavorings. From 200 BC to 1200 AD, the Romans controlled spice trade routes from Rome to India, though the trade declined after Rome's fall. In the 15th-17th centuries, European powers like Portugal, Spain, England, and the Dutch fought for control of the most valuable spices from India, China, and Indonesia. This led to explorers like Vasco de Gama, Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan seeking new trade routes. By the end of the 17th century, the Dutch had become the main controllers of