Indian Ocean Trade Classical Period

Goods- Sugarcane and Banana

1000 BCE

Both sugarcane and banana were recognized as important crops and were traded to India and late grown in China.

Classic Era

Period: 1000 BCE to 300

Trade in this time stemmed from older Egyptian and Mesopotamian trade routes. The groups represented in this new era are The Mauryan Empire in India, Han Dynasty in China, The Roman Empire in the Mediterranean, and the Achaemenid Empire in Persia.

Technology- Stern Post Rudder

800 BCE

Before the addition of a rudder on the rear of the ship, sails and oars were the only way to control a ship. With the rudder ships were easier to control and made navigation safer.

Event- Persian Migration

750 BCE

The Persians migrated from Asia to Iran

People- Cyrus the Great

550 BCE

Founded the Persian Empire that spanned the Middle East and reached into parts of India

Religion- Buddhism

500 BCE

Buddhism began to spread along trade routes.

Trade Route- Mediterranean Connection

500 BCE

Greek and Roman Sailors began using the Indian Ocean as a trade route.

Technology- Camel Saddle

500 BCE

This technology was founded in Arabia. This allowed camels to carry more which made trade and travel over land easier.

Technology- Compass

400 BCE

China invented the compass which led to better direction when sailing. This made trade safer and more efficient.

People- Alexander the Great

334 BCE

Alexander the Great defeated the Persians marking the end of the Persian Empire. The City of Alexandria is founded and becomes the hub of trade.

Trade Route- Trans-Saharan Trade

300 BCE

This trade route connected West Africa to the Mediterranean. This land based network used Camels to transport valuable goods over long distances.

People- Ashoka the Great

271 BCE

Ashoka spread Buddhism by way of religious envoys who traveled increasing contact between nations.

Goods- Cloves

204 BCE

Cloves became a popular spice is China where it was used by royalty. Later it was traded to the Roman Empire and eventually Europe. Cloves were a valuable part of the spice trade and helped connect Asian islands to the mainland.

Event- Han Dynasty

202 BCE

This Era saw a huge economic growth and technological development.

Religion- Confucianism

200 BCE

Started by Confucius this philosophy set social values. These beliefs grew in popularity during the Han Dynasty and was spread by the trade routes.

Trade Route- Silk Road

114 BCE

This land based trade route connected Africa, Arabia, Persia, India and Asia.

Goods- Silk

100 BCE

Silk became a major trading resource along the Indian Ocean trade route.

Disease

100

By this time land and sea trade routes became well established. This also helped the spread of disease spread from foreign travelers and goods. Diseases such as measles, smallpox, and the bubonic plague had a devastating effect on populations with no natural immunity.

Good- Pearls

200

Pearls served as an important tradable good. The were exported from the Arabian gulf and were used in fashion for the upper class.

Religion- Hinduism

300

Hinduism grew in popularity in India and spread via trade routes.