Indian Ocean trade: Classical Period

By Swood00
  • 2800 BCE

    Ubar

    Ubar happened to be a lost city on the Arabian Peninsula. It is believed to have been the center for incense transport and sale from around 2800 BCE to 300 CE ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 1000 BCE

    Long distance trade declined.

    Historians believe that long-distance trade from Egypt to Mesopotamia decline around this time. ("Classical Era...", n.d.).
  • 1000 BCE

    Bananas and Sugar Cane

    Bananas and Sugar Cane
    Bananas first came from New Guinea, but by this time, they spread to Southeast Asia, India, and Madagascar . Sugar cane from Southeast Asia was traded to India. By the end of the Classical Era, sugar was known in Persia for cooking and sweetening.
  • 1000 BCE

    Phoenician Ships

    Phoenician Ships
    Phoenicians built sturdy cargo ships to ship large amount of goods during this period. These ships were very advanced for their time ("Maps", n,d,).
  • 1000 BCE

    Taklamakan Desert

    Merchant caravans traveling to and from China branched over the northern and southern parts of the Desert instead of going across the Taklamakan ("Maps", n.d.). These routes were near oasis towns, which provided water and supplies to the caravans ("Maps", n.d.). Used for traveling during whole period.
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 300

    Kamal

    The kamal is a simple navigation device used by Arab navigators since ancient times, before the classical period ("Maps", n.d.). It is a small, rectangular card with a knotted cord passing through it ("Maps", n.d.). The kamal was used to determine latitude at sea by observing the distance between the horizon and a particular star at the same time each night ("Maps", n.d.).
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 300

    Trade networks

    The silk road, Indian ocean, and the Saharan trade were all routes on trade during the time between 1000 BCE and 300 CE ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 858 BCE

    Obelisk of Shalamaneser III

    Obelisk of Shalamaneser III
    This is a pillar with carvings representing King Shalmaneser III, who ruled 858-824 BCE ("Maps", n.d.). The carvings tell the story of military campaigns and items that were given in tribute to the king ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 610 BCE

    Pharaoh Necho II

    Pharaoh Necho II
    From 610 BCE to 595 BCE, this ruler of Egypt started working on a canal that connected the Red Sea and the Nile River. He stopped his work when he realized this issues with other countries they came along with it. This Canal ended up being finished by Darius I later ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 600 BCE

    Religions Spreading (600 BCE - 300 BCE)

    Religions Spreading (600 BCE - 300 BCE)
    Between 600 B.C.E. and 300 B.C.E, Religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism spread across the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia ("Clasical Era...", n.d.).
  • 600 BCE

    Iron and silk

    Iron and silk
    Iron metallurgy originated in China and silk entered the trade system during this time ("Maps", n.d.). Silk was wanted by India, te Middle East, and the Roman Empire ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 500 BCE

    Greek and Roman sailors join

    Greek and Roman sailors join
    After 500 B.C.E., Greek and Roman sailors joined the Indian Ocean. They were sent by the Persian ruler, Darius I ("Classical Era...", n.d.).
  • 500 BCE

    Gold and wine

    Gold and wine
    When Greek and Roman Sailors and traders joined, gold and wine was traded during that time ("Classical Era...", n.d.).
  • 500 BCE

    Saddles

    Saddles
    Saddles were developed in Northern Arabia between 500 and 100 BCE. It was useful for people who lead herds of animals to pastures ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 500 BCE

    Cinnamon and cassia

    Cinnamon and cassia
    Cinnamon and cassia started from the Gulf of Aden on the monsoon winds around 500 BCE ("Maps", n.d.). It was traded on the Red Sea routes or the parallel overland caravan routes to the Mediterranean ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 430 BCE

    Athenian Plague

    This plague killed 1/3 of the population in Athens ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 336 BCE

    Alexander the Great

    Alexander the Great
    Alexander the Great became king in 336 BCE ("Maps", n.d.). He defeated the Persian Empire in 550-330 BCE and extended Greek control over western Asia, Egypt, Central Asia, and the Indus Valley ("Maps", n.d.). His military campaigns brought art and culture into many other lands ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 332 BCE

    Alexandria

    Alexandria was founded around 332 BCE by Alexander the Great and was the capital of Egypt for about a millennium ("Maps", n.d.). It was a hub of international trade, the city was heavily influenced by Greek and Roman culture ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 301 BCE

    Ban Don Ta Phet Cemetary

    This cemetery in Thailand had a lot of artifacts and goods such as bronze bowls, bracelets, anklets, rings, and iron ceramics ("Maps", n.d.). These findings show the relationship of trade between Southeast Asia and India, Vietnam, and the Philippines during the 4th century BCE ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 138 BCE

    Zhang Qian

    "In 138 BCE, Zhang Qian was sent by the emperor Wudi to make contact with the Yuezhi, an ancient culture that ruled parts of India and Bactria in Central Asia from about 128 BCE-450 CE. According to the Han Shu, the territories of both the Yuezhi and the Han were being threatened by invasions of the Xiongnu, a group of nomadic tribes also known as the Huns." ("Maps", n.d.). He is an early pioneer of the silk road ("Maps", n.d.).
  • 106 BCE

    Silk Road

    Route for spreading Chinese culture and goods founded by Zhang Qian ("Maps", n.d.)