Indian Ocean Trade Networks

By twalker010
  • 1000 BCE

    Bananas

    Bananas were cultivated as early as 8000 BCE and were traded to Africa as early as 1000 BCE. Traded from New Guinea to Africa, and China.
  • 1000 BCE

    Sugar Cane

    After originating in South East Asia, sugar cane finally reaches India.
  • 900 BCE

    The Kamal Invented

    Early traders used the Kamal to navigate Arab navigators through the Indian ocean. The tool observed the distance of the horizon and was especially useful in the indian ocean due to the monsoon winds.
  • 609 BCE

    Red sea Canal

    Herodotus constructs a canal linking the Nile river to the red sea in order to improve trade in the Indian ocean.
  • Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

    Alexanders Conquest

    Alexander The Great conquers the Persian empire and establishes Alexandira, Egypt. Alexandria began a massive center of art and trade.
  • Period: 515 BCE to 510 BCE

    Scylax Makes His Voyage

    Scylax of Caryanda explores Indian ocean for King Darius of Persia, and makes a trip to the Indus river. This exhibition encourages trade.
  • 500 BCE

    Cassia and Cinnamon

    Cinnamon from Sri Lanka and Cassia from China are spread Southeast.
  • 500 BCE

    Hanno

    Hanno sails from Carthage all the way around Africa. This great feat most likely inspired trade between regions.
  • Period: 271 BCE to 232 BCE

    Ashokas Reign

    Indian emperor Ashoka converts to Buddhism and begins to encourage trade with Southwest and Southeast Asia by sending religious speakers to these areas to spread Buddhism.
  • 206 BCE

    Cloves

    Cloves are a dried up flower grown in Indonesia used in spices. Cloves were used in China and Rome as a breath freshener. Traded from Indoneshia to China and Europe.
  • 200 BCE

    One- Humped Camel

    One humped camel is spread from Southern Arabia to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Egypt.
  • 130 BCE

    Silk

    China begins trading popular silks with the west. The silks are a luxury item and are also used as a currency. Silk was very valuable
  • 100 BCE

    Camel Saddle Invented

    Northern Arabia creates the Camel saddle. Although the camel was already being traded, thi invention made them more practical and increased the demand.
  • 50 BCE

    Isodorus of Carax

    the Roman Empire, the Parthian Empire, the Kushan Empire, the Nomadic Confederation of the Xiongnu, and the Han Empire trade despite having to navigate difficult geographical regions.Isodorus of Carax wrote books describing these regions.
  • 100

    Pearls

    Pearls in the Arabian peninsula are fished out of the ocean near Qatar and shipped to Rome for use as popular jewelry.
  • 100

    Phoenician Round Ships

    Phoenician round ships enable merchants to trade with ease. The Phoenicians designed these boats that were very advanced for their time
  • 165

    Antonine Plague

    Eastern military campaigns bring small pox back to Rome. This kills 5 million people including Emperor Marcus Aurellius
  • 251

    Plague of Cyprian

    Small pox returns in 251 killing 5,00 people per day including Emperor Claudius II. The Romans blamed this plague on the Christians.
  • 540

    Justinian Plague

    Rats that were on board ships to Rome from either Egypt or Ethiopia introduce the bubonic plague to Europe killing one fourth of the population.