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2500 BCE
Ancient Fishing Boats
Normally, a flat-bottomed boat used for setting out from the coast, could be used with or without a sail, and may have been in use from 5000 BCE. Boats aided in travel and transport of goods as well as fishing. -
Period: 1500 BCE to 300 BCE
Phoenicians
The Phoenicians dominated trade and travel during the first millennium BCE. They specialized in making glass products. In addition, the Phoenicians imported and exported items like wine, olives and olive oil, wheat, spices, metals, honey, and cedar wood. -
1000 BCE
King David
King David establishes Jerusalem as his capital city. -
1000 BCE
Bananas
Bananas were cultivated in other places in Southeast Asia as well, then traveled to India, and may have reached Africa by around 1000 BCE. -
1000 BCE
Aryan People
Aryan people began to settle in India. -
1000 BCE
Sugar Cane
From its origins in Southeast Asia, by 1000 BCE, sugar cane had reached India, where it was cultivated on a larger scale. By the end of the Classical Era, sugar was known in Persia as a wonderful luxury for cooking and sweetening. -
Period: 1000 BCE to 1 CE
Navigation by Polaris
Many travelers relied on Polaris also known as the North Star. Since the location of Polaris does not change, many used the star as a guide when traveling. -
Period: 1000 BCE to 300
Classical Era
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900 BCE
Kamal
The kamal is a simple navigation device used by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean since ancient times. -
800 BCE
Rise of Nubian Kingdom
During this time the Nubian Kingdom rose at Napata. -
771 BCE
End of Zhou Kingdom
The Zhou kingdom ends in China. -
750 BCE
Persians
Persians migrate from Iran to Egypt. -
Period: 712 BCE to 660 BCE
Nubia dominates Egypt
Nubia dominated Egypt from 712-660 BCE -
700 BCE
Indigo Dye
The indigo plant was a valuable plant found in documents as early as the 7th century BCE, in Babylon, and later also mentioned in Greek, and Roman sources. Chinese silks were also dyed with indigo during this period. -
600 BCE
Iron Metallurgy
The Iron metallurgy had previously been known in North Africa, South East Europe, and Western Asia. At this time another Iron metallurgy becomes known in China. -
Period: 563 BCE to 483 BCE
Buddhism Start
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Period: 522 BCE to 486 BCE
Rule of Persian Empire
Darius I rules the Persian Empire -
510 BCE
Scylax of Caryanda
Scylax of Caryanda was an explorer. He went exploring in the service of King Darius. On their voyage they were in search of riches from India. -
507 BCE
Start of Roman Republic
This was the beginning of the Roman Republic. -
500 BCE
Cinnamon & Cassia
Cinnamon and cassia arrived in the Gulf of Aden on the monsoon winds at least from around 500 BCE. It was then carried on the Red Sea routes or via the parallel overland caravan routes to the Mediterranean. -
500 BCE
Hanno
Hanno was an admiral from the Phoenician city of Carthage. He sailed around the western coast of Africa. -
500 BCE
Camel Saddle
Saddles were created for camels and other land animals to ease in transport of goods.
It was useful in establishing a livelihood for pastoral nomads, people who lead herds of animals to pasture in dry regions, and live from their milk, wool, and meat. -
Period: 500 BCE to 19 BCE
Disease
Various diseases surfaced through this period. Some of which spread during travel and trading of goods.
These diseases included:
-Malaria
-Leprosy
-Tuberculosis & more -
Period: 477 BCE to 404 BCE
Athenian Empire
The Athenian Empire ruled in Greece during this time. -
465 BCE
Hanno Explores West African Coast
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Period: 400 BCE to 300 BCE
Kingdom of Meroe in Nubia
City in Ancient Egypt -
399 BCE
Trial and Death of Socrates
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334 BCE
Alexander the Great
Alexander the great conquers Western Asia.
Beginning of Hellenistic period. This period lasted roughly 10 years. -
Period: 323 BCE to 30 BCE
Rule of Egypt
During this time Egypt was ruled by Ptolemaic Kings. -
271 BCE
Ashoka
Famous Indian Emperor who converted to Buddhism and worked to spread the religion. Beginning around 254 BCE, he had several proclamations on Buddhist teachings carved into rocks, caves, and tall stone pillars. Ashoka helped establish trades. -
206 BCE
Cloves
Early written records from the Han dynasty in China (206 BCE-220 CE) describe how court officials kept cloves in their mouths to sweeten their breath while talking to the king. The spice was also imported by the Romans, eventually spreading to southern Europe. Cloves were a very important part of the spice trade, connecting the islands of Southeast Asia to the Asian mainland and other distant regions. -
Period: 206 BCE to 220
Rule of China
Han Dynasty rules in China. -
130 BCE
Silk Road opens
The Silk Road officially opens as a trade route. -
100 BCE
Pepper
Pepper is another major spice that became heavily traded. The peppercorns were believed to have originated in India. -
64 BCE
Strabo the Geographer
Strabo the Geographer was a scholar from Greece. He loved traveling, reading scholarly works of others, visiting new lands. He traveled to India and the Mediterranean. -
Period: 31 BCE to 14
Casear Augustus
Rules the Roman Empire. -
4
Birth of Jesus of Nazareth
It is believed that at this time the birth of Jesus Christ occured. It is said that he was born in Nazareth. -
100
Pearls
Historically, the world's best pearls came from the waters of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, particularly near Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman. The pearling industry was very important to the economies of these countries, which exported the gemstones to the Roman Empire and other lands. -
138
Zhang Qian
Zhang Quian was an explorer. He was also pioneer of the "Silk Road." -
150
Kushan Coin
The Kushan Coins came from the Yuezhi tribe. This tribe of people was of Indian and European decent. These coins were believed to have been the first coins of India. The coins have provided ample evidences of trade with China, central Asia, Egypt and Rome. -
320
Aksum
Aksum was an ancient city located in Africa. Aksum contributed to the trade industry by providing gold and ivory. Aksum traded with Greece, India and other countries. -
Period: 448 to 329
Age of Pericles
Pericles was a general during the golden age. -
551
Life of Confucius/ Confucianism
The start of the Confucianism philosophy -
600
Trade Routes
Three large trade networks developed between 600 BCE and 600 CE. They were the Silk Road, the Indian Ocean trade, and the Saharan trade. -
Period: 600 to 300
Spread & Growth of Religions
Buddhism and Hinduism grew throughout this time frame. With the exchange of trade, religions were also passed along and shared. -
1279
Tang & Song Dynasties
Both the Tang & Song Dynasties in China also emphasized foreign trade. Both of these dynasties developed strong trade ties along the Silk Road.
