Trade Developments and Networks by way of the Indian Ocean

Trading begins

3000 BCE

beginning of the Indian Trade Routes started

Early Travel

3000 BCE

Travelers in small canoes and rafts traveled between towns and trading ports near coastlines from Arabia to the Indian subcontinent.

Early Trade

Period: 1938 BCE to 1756 BCE

Early trade in the northwestern Indian Ocean was aided by an irrigation canal (navigable in high water) through the Isthmus of Suez that was built by the Egyptians during the 12th dynasty

Phoenician Ships

Period: 1500 BCE to 332 BCE

Phoenicians built very sturdy cargo ships which were very advanced for this time period. These trading ships were known as "gauloi", and had a giant rectangular sail in its center which could turn to catch the wind. They were generally between 65-100 ft long. The ships were designed to transport large amounts of trade goods.

Goods are here!

1000 BCE

Crops such as bananas, coconut, and yam were first of the trade.

Identifying trade networks

1000 BCE

The trade in the Indian Ocean span from Southeast Asia, Arabia, India, and East Africa. Eventually, trade included China, growing the trade industry even more.

Navigation By Polaris

1000 BCE

While traveling across the ocean where no land was visible, Phoenician sailors stayed on the correct route by observing the location of Polaris, also known as 'Phoenician Star' by ancient writers. Polaris navigation allowed the Phoenicians to sail long distances and trade with many other foreign cultures with the knowledge of winds and ocean currents.

Domestication Of Camels

900 BCE

Domestication of camels played a huge role making trade possible in desert landscapes. They were used for long distance travel and trade within the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, Turkey and India, especially during expansion of the Silk Road and Spice Route.

Tang and Song Dynasties in China

750 BCE

The Tang (618 - 907) and Song (960 - 1279) Dynasties in China also emphasized trade and industry, developing strong trade ties along the land-based Silk Roads, and encouraging maritime trade.

Iron: A key technological advancement

600 BCE

Iron develops in China and increases demand among traders for use in making weapons.

Coin Currency

600 BCE

The Greek coin currency was introduced and used in trade.

Transportation

600 BCE

Trade shipping in the Indian Ocean was done by various means: dhows, sailboats, dry-cargo carriers, and tankers. In the beginning small, lateen-rigged sailing vessels called dhows were predominant.

Major Empire Involved With Indian Ocean Trade

Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

Achaemenid Empire in Persia

Darius I Rules the Persian Empire

Period: 522 BCE to 486 BCE

Darius I rules the Persian Empire from 522 BCE- 486 BCE. During this time, Greek and Roman traders entered the Indian Ocean. Ceramics, gold, olive oil, and wine were traded.

Scylax of Caryanda

Period: 510 BCE to 515 BCE

Scylax of Caryanda made a voyage into the Indian Ocean from 510-515 BCE. He was famous for this voyage because he brought news the regions he found that encouraged trade expeditions. Scylax later wrote a handbook for mariners, and was mentioned by Herodotus the Greek historian.

Jainism Begins

500 BCE

The Jain religion teaches salvation by perfection through successive lives, and noninjury to living creatures, and is noted for its ascetics.
Traded religion.

Trade Route: South China

500 BCE

Trade route is developed through the Sraits of Malacca. Now connecting the Indian Ocean with South China Sea.

Sri Lanka: Popular Port

500 BCE

Sri Lanka became a major port and stopping point for merchants from places as distant as Rome, Africa, Persia, and East Asia. Roman coins were found. Export of ivory and tortoiseshell from Sri Lanka to India have been recorded. The island was also famous for its cinnamon, a popular trade good during this period.

Hano of Carthage

465 BCE

Hano explored the West African Coast, set up trade, and discovered gold.

Alexander The Great

336 BCE

Alexander the Great was the King of the Macedonian/Greek empire from 336 B.C.E. until his death in 323 B.C.E. He lead military conquests that won him control of the Persian empire.He founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt, which was a major city for trade.

Alexandria

332 BCE

Alexandria was a major hub of international trade. It connected trade routes from Rome to inner Africa, the desserts of the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia.

Monsoons

323 BCE

Monsoons played a big role in the Indian Ocean trade. Once people discovered monsoons in created an advancement in the trade systems.

Ptolemy Dynasty

Period: 323 BCE to 30 BCE

Ptolemy, a Macedonian Greek who served as one of Alexander's most trusted generals and confidants, won control of Egypt from his rivals and declared himself pharaoh. Ptolemy formalized a theory of the sun’s motion around a stationary earth. This contradicted much earlier Middle Eastern astronomy. The idea of an earth-centered universe seemed to explain many observed phenomena, including eclipses. Ptolemy’s theory was long taken as fixed wisdom in Western thought.

Frankincense and myrrh

300 BCE

Frankincense and myrrh (incense from the dried sap from trees) trading served as a driving force to open Indian Ocean Trade. During the Classical Period, they were transported by Arab merchants-along with spices, gold, ivory, pearls, precious stones and textiles.

Berenike - Popular Port/City

275 BCE

Berenike was an Egyptian port city located on the Red Sea - a major center of international trade. It was used as a harbor for importing African elephants from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. The city traded extensively with India, exchanging goods like cloth, pottery, beads, wood, and bamboo. During the Roman Empire, spices, myrrh, frankincense, pearls, and textiles were all shipped through Berenike to Alexandria and Rome.

Disease!

100 BCE

Diseases that broke out and were spread by way of the Indian Ocean trade during the Classical Period were smallpox, measles, and the bubonic plague. These impacted China and Roman population the worse, resulting in many deaths.

Major Export

33 BCE

Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism spread from India to Southeast Asia, brought by merchants rather than by missionaries.

Major Empire Involved in trade in Indian Ocean

Period: 33 BCE to 476

Roman Empire- had a profound & lasting influence on development of language, religion, art, architecture, philosophy, law, & forms of government. Advancements in the construction of roads and buildings, indoor plumbing, aqueducts, and fast-drying cement were invented or improved upon & apartments, public toilets, locks/keys, newspapers, socks, shoes, postal system, cosmetics, magnifying glass, and concept of satire in literature. Advancements in medicine, law, religion, government, and warfare.

Birth of Jesus in Nazareth

4

Jesus was a Jewish prophet and teacher who was regarded as the son of God by his disciples. He urged a moral code based on love, charity, and humility, and he asked the faithful to follow his lessons, abandoning worldly concerns. Many disciples believed that a final judgment day was coming on which God would reward the righteous with immortality and condemn sinners to everlasting hell.
Jesus's crucifixion in 30 AD ushered in the age of Christianity.

Apostle Paul

Period: 45 to 58

Paul traveled the Mediterranean to spread Christianity.