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A world history of citrus, from the art of antiquity to the science of the modern era.Citrus traces the history of today's global superfood from its cultivation in the ancient world from just a handful of original wild species, via Arab trade routes, the noble collectors of medieval Europe, imperial conquerors on the high seas, and merchants betting on the highest-value fruit crop ever known.The story of citrus permeates human history, as recorded in the literature and art of civilizations from antiquity to the present day. When Alexander the Great's army swept over the Persian Empire, they found the citron: the first citrus fruit known in the West. During the Napoleonic wars, British ships carried lemons and limes to protect their sailors against scurvy; the "Limeys" ruled the waves.