Indian Ocean trade during the Classical Era

Banana

1000 BCE

Bananas were grown in Asia and later traveled to India. They may have even gone as far as Africa or the middle east.

Sugar Cane

1000 BCE

This luxury for cooking and sweetening foods originated from south east Asia and later was known as far as Persia

Persia

750 BCE

The Persian people migrated from Asia to Iran

Indigo Plant

700 BCE

This plant dates back as far as the 7th century, Chinese used these plants to dye their clothes. before this civilization such as Greece used this plant as well.

Iron and Silk

600 BCE

Silk and iron were introduced through the trade system to China and India. Silk was highly prized possession in India, the middle east, and Rome.

Sailing for trade

500 BCE

Greeks and Romans went on voyage to the indian ocean at 500 BC to trade ceramics, gold, olives, oil and wine.

Buddist

500 BCE

Because of the silk road Buddhist beliefs began to spread

Cinnamon

500 BCE

Cinnamon arrived in the gulf of Aden

Isthmus of Kra

400 BCE

A narrow strip of land that connects Malay peninsula to Asia. Traders reached India by crossing this strip. Making trading much easier.

Alexandria

332 BCE

a place of international trade connecting Rome, Africa,Arabian peninsula, and Asia

Berenike

300 BCE

a major center of international trade where goods such as pottery, beads, wood, and bamboo, spices, myrrh, Frankencense, pearls, and textiles were traded.

Camel

200 BCE

The one hump Camel spread from southern Arabia to Somalia in east Africa. Furthermore it spread from there to Ethiopia and Egypt.

Pepper

100 BCE

Pepper was very important and valuable during the spice trade, and was as good as money or gold in ancient Rome.