Indian Ocean Trade- Classical Era

Bananas

1000 BCE

During the classical era, bananas spread as a crop and food into China and parts of the Middle East. They were cultivated in Southeast Asia, traveled to India and then reached Africa.

Kamal

900 BCE

Navigation device used by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean. Determined latitude at sea by observing the distance between the horizon and a particular star at the same time each night.

Scylax

510 BCE

Scylax of Caryanda was famous from his voyage into the Indian Ocean from 510-515 BCE, looking for the riches of India and the mouth of the Indus River. Sailing down the Indus mouth, into the Arabian sea, along shore westwards. Reaching Harmozeia, over to Oman, along the shore of the Arabian Peninsula. Made a stop at the Yemeni ports, and sailed up the Red Sea (which was unfriendly territory). When his voyage came to an end he brought news of his travels which encouraged trade expeditions.

Hanno

500 BCE

Hanno, an admiral from the city of Carthage, explored Libya to find cities for Libyphoenicians. Not only did he establish several colonies along the Moroccan coast, but also a trading post on a small island off the coast of Mauritania.

Camel Saddle

500 BCE

Developed in Northern Arabia. The frame held the saddle over the hump of the camel with two pieces of wood or rope on each side. The weight needed to be distributed evenly on both sides and supported by the strongest bones of the camel. The saddle did both, allowing the camel to carry heavy loads.

Punch-Marked Coins

400 BCE

Represents an early form of coin, found at many sites which makes it known that trade was taking place very widely, land and sea. Coins show that a wide range of goods that were being traded was no longer possible. Coins allow exchanges between merchants, artisans, and agricultural producers.

Phoenician Ships

332 BCE

Sturdy cargo ships designed to transport large amounts of goods. Typically 65 and 100 feet long, 20 feet wide. Built to hold a crew of about 20 men, who lived in quarters on the ships. The ship's front had two eyes painted to allow the ship to 'see' the route it was traveling. Very technically advanced for their time.

Alexandria

332 BCE

Founded by Alexander the Great, a hub of international trade influence by Greek and Roman culture. Alexandria being along both the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile River made it the center of the trade routes that connected Rome to inner Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and Asia.

Alexander the Great

323 BCE

Alexander the Great was a famous conqueror that founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt. Alexandria became a major center of art and trade and his military campaigns that brought Greek art and culture to foreign lands initiated the Hellenistic period. This later influenced art, science, politics, and literature across the globe.

Ancient Fishing Boats

300 BCE

This type of boat could be used with or without a sail and might be made of planks or a single log. Crafted from teak or mango wood which is resistant to rot. Used by fishermen for setting out from the coast.

Palmyra

300 BCE

Ornate funeral monuments created by the people of Palmyra, influenced by foreign cultures brought by many merchants who visited the city of Palmyra. It was a wealthy trading post that controlled the caravan routes that linked the Roman Empire to the Parthian Empire. It was connected to the Silk Road and the Incense Road; two very important trade routes.

Kushan Gold Coin

200 BCE

The coin represented how trade resulted in the blending of religious and cultural ideas. The Kushan people traded with other major empires (Romans, Parthians, Hans). The Kushans empire was along both the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean, giving them direct access to the ports of the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in influence by many cultures.

Silk Road

130 BCE

Connected the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Central Asia, and China. Allowed the merchants to travel abroad and seek luxury goods like silk.

Zhang Qian

106 BCE

Zhang Qian, a pioneer of the silk road, helped open China to many foreign lands and cultures. Though, his travels were rough; he was kidnapped several times which delayed his trip. Thirteen years after he set out, he was back home sharing his stories and findings. He then made a second trip. With all of his adventures, he introduced Chinese culture and technology to the lands he visited, and brought back foreign music, dance forms, grapes, watermelon, walnuts, and pomegranates.

Pearls

100 BCE

Used for popular jewelry styles in the Roman Empire. Pearls are produced by oysters fished out of the sea. Wealthy Romans favored pearls. Great trade good because they were small in size, so easy to carry and were used for jewelry, decoration, or ground into powder for medicine. Many classical texts mention that Arabian Gulf pearls were a high luxury item valued by wealthy Romans.

Barygaza

100 BCE

A port on the west coast of India. Dangerous shoals or areas where the ships could run aground made it difficult for ships to reach the port, so they were led by local boats through channels. Merchants brought goods here for export, things like gems, textiles, medicinal and aromatic herbs. Barygaza imported wine, metals, gems, glass and silver coins.

Silk

27 BCE

Most likely produced by the Chinese royal court and can combine many different colors with a difficult technique. It comes from a thread that is naturally spun by silk worms. Silk was one of many goods (including spices, metalwork, glass, incense, and other textiles), traded along the "Silk Road". It was traded and used for money because it was high in value and importance internationally.

Sri Lanka

300

An island off the coast of India, a central part of the Indian Ocean Trade Networks. An increase in trade came with the spread of Indian religious and cultural influences to Southeast Asia. It links the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean making it a major port for merchants from Rome, Africa, Persia, and East Asia. The export of ivory and tortoiseshell took place From Sri Lanka to India. It was also famous for the popular trade good, cinnamon.