Annius Plocamus

Annius Plocamus was a member of the wealthy Annii family which was involved in the lucrative Indian Ocean trade. Their headquarters were at Puteoli, Rome’s main port for all Eastern Mediterranean goods but they also had branches in various other ports, as Ostia, from which they controlled their business ventures and commodities arriving in Italy. Apart from participating in already established family business, Annius Plocamus also purchased the right to collect taxes for the government. He acted as publicanus (tax collector) for the 25 percent import tax levied at Berenice. According to Pliny, a freedman of Annius Plocamus, who was also a tax farmer and probably worked on behalf of his former master, was blown off by powerful monsoon winds to Sri Lanka while carrying out business. There he got acquainted with the Sinhalese king who was very impressed with the quality of Roman coins which Plocamus’ agent showed him. This prompted the Sinhalese king to send an embassy to Rome in order to learn more about Roman civilization. Therefore, Annius Plocamus has indirectly contributed to the establishment of links between Rome and distant Sri Lanka during the 1st century.