The Phoenicians and Armenians then began to trade raisins with the Greeks and the Romans. Tasty dried muscats, sultanas and currants became very popular and in great demand with the Greeks and Romans who ate them in large quantities. As the popularity of the raisins grew, so did their value. Can you believe that in ancient Rome you could trade two jars of raisins for one slave boy? And how about raisins as a cure for what ails you? Ancient physicians prescribed raisins as potions that could cure everything from mushroom poisoning to old age.
Emperor Augustus feasted on small birds stuffed with raisins. Even Hannibal had raisins in his troop rations when he crossed the Alps.