Classical Period Trade

By drobles001
  • 1000 BCE

    Phoenician Ships

    Ships built and designed to transport large amounts of goods. Typically between 65 and 100 ft long and around 20 ft wide. Accommodated around 20 men and were very technically advanced for their time.
  • 801 BCE

    Kamal Navigation Device

    The Kamal is a navigation device used by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean. It is a small rectangular card with a knotted cord passing through it. They used this to determine latitude at sea. It is an alternative to using their fingers held parallel to the horizon. The knots on the card would represent the latitude needed to reach specific places.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 100 BCE

    Aksum Trade Network

    Aksum flourished as a trade network because of it's connection with the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. It exported gold, gems, spices, incense, and ivory. These trade goods were exported to Greece, India, Sri Lanka, and Persia.
  • Period: 610 BCE to 595 BCE

    Pharaoh Necho II & African Coast Exploration

    During Pharaoh Necho II's rein, he hired Phoenician sailors to explore the African Coastline. This exploration lead to a better understanding of the African coast. They came back with the result that Africa is surrounded by water 'except where it joins Asia'.
  • Period: 610 BCE to 595 BCE

    Pharaoh Necho II & the Suez Canal

    Pharaoh Necho II ruled from 610-595BCE. He began building the canal linking the Nile River and the Red Sea. He abandoned the project because it gave the Babylonians easy access for attacking Egyptian territory. There was also the possibility that the canal could become chocked with sand once it mixed and fear that the fresh water from the Nile would become salty and ruin the agriculture and population of Egypt. The project restarted later on and is important because it saves time for shipping.
  • 601 BCE

    Indigo Dye

    Indigo Dye is made from a plant that originates in India. Found in Babylon, Greek and Roman sources. Cakes of the dyestuff were made for long distance trade for other societies. It was used as a coloring agent in ink and paint. Also seen used to dye yarn or cloth or jeans.
  • 600 BCE

    Phoenician travels

    It was believed that the Phoenician merchants had circumnavigated Africa as early as 600BCE. They also had some of the most advanced ships to export and import goods. They also developed advanced navigation techniques that helped in their quest of new markets. They also established several trading colonies like Carthage.
  • Period: 500 BCE to 100 BCE

    Camel Saddle

    The Camel Saddle was created because camels were already being used for transportation. The saddle prevented the trader to sit safely for longer periods of time. Also since camels were used for packing objects, the saddle served the purpose of sitting and packing.
  • 450 BCE

    Phoenician Alphabet

    The alphabet is another Phoenician advancement. The Yehawmilk Stele has 14 lines inscription that was passed to the Greeks and is the basis of the alphabet in Western languages.
  • Period: 365 BCE to 323

    Alexander the Great

    Alexander the Great was born in 365BCE and died from a fever in 323BCE. He was named king of Greek state and led a total of 48,500 soldiers. With his soldiers they defeated the Persian Empire. He also got control over lands in other countries like Central and Western Asia, Egypt and the Indus Valley. He also founded Alexandria in Egypt.
  • 332 BCE

    Alexandria in Egypt

    Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in Egypt. It became the center of art and trade. It's location became the center of trade routes connecting Rome to Inner Africa, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and Asia. Alexandria also became the foundation for centuries of interactions and cultural exchange.
  • 301 BCE

    Phoenician Goods

    Phoenicians imported and exported goods like wine, olive oil, olives, wheat, spices, metal, honey, and cedar wood. They also specialized in making glass products.
  • 201 BCE

    Palmyra

    was a wealthy trading post that controlled the overland caravan routes connecting the Roman Empire to the Parthian Empire. Its location connected two of the most important trade routes in history, the Silk Road and the Incense Road.
  • Period: 150 BCE to 191 BCE

    Kushan Gold Coin

    Trade resulted in the blending of religious and cultural ideas. The Kushans were influenced by many different cultures and it could be seen in their rulers and in their coins. Their coins resembled those of the Greeks. But also their art went around Roman, Greek, and Buddhist themes.
  • 138 BCE

    Zhang Qian

    Zhang Qian was sent by his emperor Wudi on a diplomatic mission to the Yuezhi to form an alliance with them and strengthen his empire. Zhang Qian was kidnapped and delayed on his quest and eventually reached Yuezhi but continued to travel west. After 13 years he returned to China to share his discoveries.
  • 130 BCE

    Silk Road

    By 106 BCE the Silk Road was a commonplace for trade. The routes were first crossed by Zhang Qian. Silk. spices, metalwork, glass, incense and other textiles were traded along these routes. These routes connect China, India, Central Asia, Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
  • 104 BCE

    Bananas

    Bananas had been cultivated in the island of New Guinea for thousands of years but it wasn't until 1000 BCE that it reached Africa. However, during the Classical Era bananas spread as a crop into China and other parts of the Middle East
  • 100 BCE

    Pearls

    Pearls were an ideal trade good because of their size and because they were a favorite to wealthy people. The best pearls came from the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. In the Roman empire it was valued as a high luxury item
  • Period: 64 BCE to 23 BCE

    Strabo the Geographer

    Born in Amasia, Greece, Strabo the Geographer was a scholar who traveled to get a better picture of the best state of knowledge of the known world. He traveled by ship as far as the Red Sea and heard about other lands on the ships and in the ports. He even went to create a map on information he received.
  • 7 BCE

    Strabo's Geographica

    Strabo was an author who traveled and compiled information for Geographica. He gave information on the place including physical characteristics and their natural production. With this information the reader then knows the system of trade for the country or region. It wasn't until 7BCE that his books were published.
  • 201

    Silk

    Discovered in the ancient city Loulan. Made from thread naturally spun by silk worms. It was traded and also used as a form of money. This reflected it's importance and value.