The story of the Swahili Coast is full of drama and adventure, unexpected twists and turns and visitors who came and went and left their mark. As far back as Roman Times the East African Coast was part of a well organised trade network. The Islamic era brought in wealth and settlement, then came the Portuguese and a period of disruption. Swahili civilisation hung in the balance, until Arabs from Oman moved in revitalising the Coast but also bringing in petty squabbles as ruling families and towns fought for power. Zanzibar emerged victorious and wealth started to flow back into the region, until Europeans began to interfere.