Explanation:

The Tamil work that throws light on India's flourishing trade with the Roman Empire is Silappadikaram.

Background:

Silappadikaram is one of the five great epics of Tamil literature. It was written by the Tamil poet Ilango Adigal in the 5th century CE. The work is divided into three books and tells the story of the lives of Kannagi and Kovalan. The epic also provides a wealth of information on the economic and social conditions of ancient Tamil Nadu.

Flourishing Trade:

Silappadikaram describes the flourishing trade between ancient India and the Roman Empire. The Chera king, Senguttuvan, is said to have sent an embassy to the Roman Emperor Augustus, bearing gifts of pearls, ivory, and peacocks. The embassy is said to have returned with Roman wine, gold, and a giraffe. This shows the extent of trade and diplomatic relations between ancient India and the Roman Empire.

The epic also describes the port city of Puhar (now known as Kaveripattinam) as a major hub of international trade. Merchants from various parts of the world, including the Roman Empire, China, and Southeast Asia, are said to have visited the city for trade. The city had a bustling market and was known for its textiles, pearls, and precious stones.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Silappadikaram is an important source of information on the economic and social conditions of ancient Tamil Nadu. It provides valuable insights into the flourishing trade between ancient India and the Roman Empire and highlights the importance of the port city of Puhar in facilitating this trade.

Silappadikaram is one of the best tragic love story book of Tamil Sangam literature of third Sangam assembly written by Ilango Adigal, a Jain monk.
Basically it is a epic poem set in a flourishing seaport city of the "Early Chola Kingdom" not main line Chola.

Silappadikaram also relates the happiness and prosperity of the people to the agriculture, the use of boats with face of the horse, elephant and lion mentioned by it. Moreover, the thriving trading activities with the Mediterranean world and other distant lands could have been facilitated only with well-built and highly seaworthy ships.

The foreigners. Garments with woven floral designs are frequently mentioned in Sangam literature. The Indian silk, for it's fitness, was in great demand by the Roman merchants. But one of the most noteworthy facts in this regard is the introduction of Greek Sculpture and other foreign workmanship into South India during this period.

The Tamils of the Sangam age had trading contacts with the Mediterranean world (Greece and Rome), Egypt, China, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. The literary works like Silappadikaram, Manimekalai and Pattinappalai frequently refer to the contact with the Greek and Roman traders. This period marked the height of the Indo-Roman trade.

The Periplus of Erythrean Sea and other accounts of foreigners such as those of Pliny, Ptolemy, Strabo and Petronius mention various ports and the articles traded during the period. The archaeological excavations and explorations at various sites have also yielded the artefacts confirming to the trading relations between the Tamil regions and other countries. The discovery of coin hoards at many places also attests this fact.