Christian Influence on the Frankincense Trade in the 4th and 5th Centuries

The emergence of a new institution with religious and political influence inevitably leads to the imposition of new and the abolition of already established social practices. Some economic activities are affected during such periods – if they do not disappear, they suffer significant losses for a certain period. Such is the case with the incense trade. By the middle of the 4th century, incense was used daily in religious rituals in temples, private homes, and all public places where it was customary to perform them. The establishment of Christianity as the only state-recognized religion on the territory of the Roman Empire led to a sharp decline in the consumption of incense, first in temples and public spaces, and gradually in rituals in private homes. In this sense, the religious practices established by the Church were a barrier to development, which led to the decline of the frankincense trade and some trade centers such as Petra.