Trade between cities promised huge profits. The nomadic tribes, and later merchants, played a vital role in distributing goods and raw materials. Merchants were given great freedom to conduct their activities but, when rivalry between cities escalated to violence, popular and rich trade routes became targets for tribal bandits. Powerful and wealthy individuals exploited such situations, with caravan chiefs selling protection at extortionate rates. It often became necessary for governments to offer armed escorts to ensure that valuable trade networks remained intact.
