Indian Ocean Trade Timeline

Silk

3000 BCE

Silk was first discovered in China. Silk is made from silk worms and it is spun as the worms make their cocoons. Silk was used for a variety of things. This made it one if the popular trading goods of the Silk Road.

Sugar cane

1000 BCE

Sugar cane was popular in Southeast Asia. By 1000 BCE, sugar cane was located in India, where there were huge amounts of it. People realized how valuable sugar cane was, as it was used for sweetening and cooking. This made sugar cane a popular trade good during the Classical Era. After this era, sugar cane continued to spread through trade and migration.

Bananas

1000 BCE

Bananas were a tropical plant that was found growing in Southeast Asia. This trade good was transported to India and Africa. Bananas also made their way into China and possibly the Middle East.

Rise of Nubian Kingdom

800 BCE

During 800 BCE, the Nubian kingdom dominates in Egypt. This kingdom was very rich and powerful. They traded with the Egyptians and sailed in large vessels to kingdoms along the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts. Some popular trade items were: ebony, olive oil, ivory, and incense.

The Kamal

800 BCE

In 800 BC, the Arabs created a navigation device called the Kamal. The Kamal was used to measure altitude and longitude. The Kamal was was a flat piece of wood with a string attached to it. This helped the sailors navigate by using the stars. When the star lined up with the latitude, that was the way to go.This helped sailors as they sailed the oceans for trade.

Confucius

551 BCE

Confucius, also known as Kong Qui, was a Chinese philosopher. His philosophies focused on having positive family and public relations. He also set high standards for education.

Camel Saddle

500 BCE

The camel saddle was created in Northern Arabia in 500 BCE. The goal of the saddle was to allow the animal to easily carry heavy loads. This was done by distributing the weight evenly on both sides of the camel. It also kept the rider comfortable.

Disease Spread

460 BCE

Around 460 BCE, diseases were starting to spread though trade and movement of people. Some diseases that were spread are: Leprosy, Malaria, and Tuberculosis(TB).

Peloponnesian War

431 BCE

The Peloponnesian War lasted from 431 to 404 BCE. Athens and Sparta for dominance in Southern Greece. Sparta was successful in their dominance but did not achieve political unification of Greece.

Isthmus of Kra

400 BCE

The Isthmus of Kra is a narrow strip of land that connects the Malay
Peninsula to Asia. In 400 BCE, this isthmus way a way to connect traders from India, Southeast Asia, and China. This route was used as a quick way to get where the trader was going, it also kept traders safe from pirates and bandits.

The Phoenicians

400 BCE

The Phoenicians dominated trade during the first millennium BCE. These people got their name from the reddish-purple cloth that they traded. These people also made glass products in 400 BCE . They imported and exported trade goods such as wine, olives, honey, and spices. The Phoenicians created many trading colonies.

Punch-marked Coins

400 BCE

Punch-marked coins are silver coins created from the Mauryan dynasty of India. They were made by cutting the shape out of sheets of silver then punching the shape with a harder metal. The coins showed how important trade was in India. The coins were found in various places, which means trade was abundant. Coins were used between merchants, farmers, and artisans.

Aristotle

384 BCE

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher. He is famous for his three methods of persuasion, ethos, logos, and pathos. He also tutored Alexander the Great. His literary works spread all over Greece and the world.

Alexander the Great

338 BCE

Alexander the Great was a Greek king. In addition to being king, he had the largest army ever in Greece. While he was king, Alexander defeated the Persian Empire. He conquered Asia, Egypt, Central Asia, and the Indus Valley. Alexander also built the city of Alexandria in Egypt. This became a huge area for trade.

Alexandria

332 BCE

Alexandria was built in 332 BCE by Alexander the Great. This city remained the capital of Egypt for almost a millennium. This city was a huge area for international trade. This city was so important for trading because of its' location. Alexandria was located along the Mediterranean Sea and the Nile River. Alexandria was also the center of Christianity.

Phoenician Ships

332 BCE

The ships were built as sturdy cargo ships. The ships were created to be able to carry large amounts of goods. The ships were called gauloi or "round" because of their rounded body. The ships had rectangular sails and used rudders to steer. Each ship could carry about 20 men as a crew.

Ashoka

271 BCE

Ashoka was a famous Indian Emperor. He ruled from 271-232 BCE. He promoted Buddhism and sent his religion beliefs to other places. By doing so, Ashoka created new contact and interactions with others that helped develop trade. He traded with West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Punic Wars

264 BCE

The Punic Wars consisted of three wars between Rome and Carthage. The purpose of the wars was to establish dominance in the Mediterranean. Rome was successful.

Zhang Quian

138 BCE

Zhang Quian was a Chinese explorer. He started the Silk Trade Routes. During his travels, he helped China experience different cultures and lands. In 138 BCE, he was sent to make peace with another culture. He was captured for years. After 13 years, he finally returned home and shared his discoveries.

The Silk Road

106 BCE

This trade route was created by Zhang Quian. This trade route connected the Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Central Asia, and China. With the rise of the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty, this trade route became even more popular.