Around 200 BC, musk deer glands were traded extensively from Central Asia to the Mediterranean, valued for their use in elite perfumes. This trade highlighted the interconnectedness of ancient economies and the demand for luxury goods. The musk trade exemplified the cultural exchanges between East and West, influencing fashion and fragrance industries throughout history.

The trade of musk from Central Asia around 200 BC inspired ancient poetic tropes of desire and rarity. This exoticism influenced the works of poets like Sappho, who explored themes of attraction and longing, embedding the allure of musk into the fabric of their lyrical expressions.