Classical Period: Indian Ocean Trade

By twarner005
  • 1000 BCE

    Sugar Cane

    Sugar cane had reached to India from its origins in Southeast Asia. Sugar cane was used for cooing and sweetening.
  • 1000 BCE

    Bananas

    Bananas could be found in Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. Bananas spread as a crop and a food into China and may have been known in parts of the Middle East.
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 1 BCE

    Phoenicians

    The Phoenicians dominated trade and travel during this time. They imported and exported items like wine, olives, olive oil, wheat, spices, metals, honeys, and cedar wood.
  • 771 BCE

    Zhou Kingdom

    The Zhou Kingdom ends in China.
  • 750 BCE

    Persians Migrate

    Persians migrate to Iran for Asia.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 100 BCE

    Aksum

    Aksum linked to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade networks by its ports city of Adulis. Aksum controlled the profitable African gold and ivory trade.
  • 600 BCE

    Iron

    Iron Metallurgy was introduced to China.
  • 600 BCE

    Silk

    Silk was traded. China exported the silk and it was highly prized in India, the Middle East, and the Roman Empire.
  • Period: 600 BCE to 300 BCE

    Religion Spreads

    Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism spread across the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia.
  • Period: 515 BCE to 510 BCE

    Scylax of Caryanda

    Scylax of Caryanda made a voyage into the Indian Ocean. He brought news of new regions that were friendly. This encouraged trade expeditions.
  • 500 BCE

    Saddles

    Major developments and a growing use of camel saddles. This allowed camels to transport more goods for trading
  • Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE

    Peloponnesian War

    The Peloponnesian War was when Athens and Sparta fought over rival claims to a colonial city state. This attempt to invade Sicily cost Athens more than 200 ships, 4500 men and many trading allies.
  • 400 BCE

    Isthmus of Kra

    The Isthmus of Kra is a narrow strip of land that connects the Malay Peninsula to Asia. Traders used this piece of land to make trips shorter then traveling around the entire Malay Peninsula.
  • 332 BCE

    Alexandria

    Alexandria was founded in 332 BCE. It was a hub of international trade. Alexandria was the center of trade route connecting Rome to inner Africa, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and Asia.
  • 300 BCE

    Frankincense and Myrrh

    Frankincense and Myrrh trading served as a driving force to open Indian Ocean Trade. They were transported by Arab merchants along with other products.
  • 206 BCE

    Cloves

    Cloves are dried flower buds that are taken from tropical evergreen clove trees. Cloves were traded from Europe to China. The Romans also imported cloves. Cloves were used for cooking and medical purposes.
  • 200 BCE

    Saddle Improvements

    The Chinese made improvements to the saddle which facilitated land trade. They improved the harnesses used for horses. Developing straps that would not choke the horse.
  • 200 BCE

    Date Palm

    The Date Palm had spread from Southern Arabia to Somalia in East Africa and then into Ethiopia and Egypt.
  • 200 BCE

    Pearls

    Pearls were popular in the Roman Empire and were ideal for trading because of there small size.
  • 150 BCE

    Kushan Gold Coin

    The Kushan Gold Coin was the currency of the Indian Ocean. This coin came from the Kushan Empire.
  • 138 BCE

    Zhang Qian

    Zhang Qian was an explorer and pioneer for the Silk Road. He also helped open up China to explore foreign lands and cultures.
  • 100 BCE

    Peppercorns

    Peppercorns were an important part of the spice trade. The spice was considered so valuable that the ancient Romans used it as a form of currency.