In classical antiquity the Mediterranean did not constitute a barrier between the populations living on its shores. Rather, it was a basin of communication for intense trade in commodities and goods, for cultural exchange, for often peaceful, sometimes belligerent relations. 2  BIS Review 5/2004  In the words of Fernand Braudel, “The Mediterranean is the world’s most ancient crossroads.
For thousands of years everything has converged here, mixing, enriching its history: men, beasts of burden, machines, goods, ideas, religions, ways of life”. This ancient unity, the Greek koine and the Roman empire, were followed by centuries of troubles and division.