Indian Ocean

By breanna1818
  • 1000 BCE

    Start of the Classical Period

    In 1,000 BC the classical period began.
  • 1000 BCE

    Spread of Religion

    Christianity and Judaism spread through merchants and trade through the Indian Ocean. This occurred throughout the entire period.
  • 1000 BCE

    Bananas

    Bananas traveled to Africa.
  • 1000 BCE

    Sugar Cane

    Sugar cane traveled to India from Southeast Asia by 1000 BC.
  • 1000 BCE

    Trade Networks

    South East Asia, India, Arabia, Eastern Africa, and China were all involved in the Indian Ocean trade during the Classical Era in history.
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 300

    Classical Period Indian Ocean Trade

  • Period: 1000 BCE to 300

    Major Trading Ports

    Alexandria, Muziris, Kaveripattanam, and Barygaza were main ports for trade in the Indian Ocean.
  • 700 BCE

    Indigo

    This was used to often used as a dye in several locations. Most commonly, it was used to dye fabrics and silk.
  • 600 BCE

    Transportation

    The main types of transportation include dhows, dry-cargo, and tankers. The small-lateen sail boats made travel in the monsoon winds possible. Dry-cargo ships could carry bulk amounts of goods, which was not possible on land. Tanker ships were known for carrying liquids across the ocean.
  • Period: 600 BCE to 300

    Religion

    During this time religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia.
  • 551 BCE

    Confucianism

    The idea of Confucianism begins.
  • Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

    Achaemenid Empire

    This empire helped to stimulate trade and was a major part of the trade.
  • Period: 522 BCE to 486 BCE

    Darius I

    The Persian Empire was ruled by Darius I who increased their economics greatly.
  • 500 BCE

    Roman and Greek Sailors

    They began trading in the Indian Ocean after being sent by Darius I.
  • 465 BCE

    Hanno the Great

    Hanno navigated and colonized the coast of Western Africa.
  • 400 BCE

    Coins

    During this century coins from India were spread around showing how trade impacted currency and cultures.
  • 356 BCE

    Alexander The Great

    He conquered large amounts of land which added to locations of trade, and increased amount of goods to trade.
  • 330 BCE

    Persia VS. Greece

    This tension led to the end of the Achaemenid Empire, who was a major part of the Indian Ocean trade.
  • Period: 322 BCE to 185 BCE

    Mauryan Empire

    They were a major contributor and helped to stimulate the trade economy.
  • 268 BCE

    Ashoka

    He was an Indian Emperor, who spread Buddhism across most of Asia.
  • 250 BCE

    Disease

    Starting around this time diseases such as Typhoid, Malaria, Smallpox, and what eventually got named as the Bubonic Plague.
  • 232 BCE

    Death of Ashoka

    Chaos filled the Mauryan Empire after the death of Ashoka, which led to their downfall. This downfall decreased their participation in trade and hurt their economy.
  • 220 BCE

    Astrolabe

    Muslims created this tool so they could navigate using the stars.
  • Period: 207 BCE to 202 BCE

    China's Civil Unrest

    At the fall of the Qin Dynasty civil wars and unrest took place until the Han Dynasty reunited China in 202 BC.
  • 206 BCE

    Magnetic Compass

    This compass helped to sail and navigate so ships could know where they were going.
  • Period: 202 BCE to 220

    Han Dynasty

    Participation in the Indian Ocean trade increased partly because of the Chinese.
  • 200 BCE

    Triangular Lateen Sail

    This ship allowed for crews to sail against the wind if they were trained enough.
  • 200 BCE

    Faience Bowls

    This type of pottery and works of art were made in Egypt and encompassed a variety of cultural influences in the design.
  • 200 BCE

    Pottery and Ceramics

    These creations demonstrated talents and cultures of various locations including Indonesia, India, and Southeast Asia.
  • 100 BCE

    Pepper

    Peppercorn became a luxury trading item during the first century BC.
  • 100 BCE

    Frankincense and Myrrh

    During the first century BC Frankincense and myrrh were very useful. They were incense that served medicinal uses, repel bugs, embalming bodies, and were made from died tree sap.
  • Period: 27 BCE to 476

    Roman Empire

    Took part in the Indian Ocean trade, conquering additional land which led to more products to trade.
  • 100

    Stern Post Rudders

    These advancements allowed for easier steering.
  • 100

    Pearls

    Pearls became popular in Rome and spread through trade. They were ideal since they required minimal space on the ships.
  • 100

    Grains

    By this time different grains such as millet and sorghum reached the Indian Ocean. It was used to make many different foods.
  • 300

    End of the Classical Period

    In 300 AD the Classical Era came to an end.