Trade in the Indian Ocean

By kmcallister004
  • 600 BCE

    Bananas

    This crop was transported to China and even in the Middle East.
  • 600 BCE

    Pharaoh Neco II

    Pharaoh Neco II began to build a canal that was going to connect the Nile River to the Red Sea. However, it proved to create vulnerabilities in a potential attack against Egypt and the project was abandoned. Much later one, the canal was finally completed creating a fast route for shipping.
  • 600 BCE

    Empires

    The major empires that were involved in the Indian Ocean trade in the classical period were the Mauryan Empire in India, the Han Dynasty in China, the Achaemenid Empire in Persia, and the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean.
  • Period: 600 BCE to 600

    Classical Period

    A technological advance that was actually introduced before the Classical period, but still used during this time was the Polaris. Sailors were able to navigate the Indian Ocean by using this star as direction of pointing north.
  • 510 BCE

    Scylax of Caryanda

    Scylax of Caryanda went on an exploration into the Indian Ocean to discover the mouth of the Indus River. Due to this voyage, he brought more trade expeditions for future explorers.
  • 500 BCE

    Camel Saddle

    The camel saddle was invented in Northern Arabia. The saddle was made to carry heavy loads of goods and also carry a person on long commutes.
  • 400 BCE

    Kamal

    The kamal was a technological device introduced in ancient times as a navigational tool for Arabs. The sole purpose of this rectangular card attached to a cord, was to determine the latitude in the Indian Ocean. It was used at the same time each night to determine the distance between the stars at their highest point and the horizon.
  • 325 BCE

    Nearchus

    Nearchus was a captain of Alexander The Great's army. His journey began at the Indus River and ended at the Tigris River. He transferred over 15,000 men on this journey.
  • 250 BCE

    Camels

    Camels were transported all over Africa. Camels were used for transportation, especially in open desert.
  • 200 BCE

    Arikamedu

    Arkiamedu was a major trading post that included pottery, stone crafting, and glass beads.
  • 106 BCE

    Zhang Qian

    Zhang Qian introduced Chinese culture to many different cultures and also brought back culture as an export to China. This included food like watermelon, dance, and music. Zhang Qian's exploration established the popular Silk Road that was used for trading.
  • 100

    Alexandria

    Alexandria was the capital of Egypt at this time and was an international hub for trade. It connected trade routes to Rome, Africa, and Asia.
  • 100

    Phoenician Ships

    Phoenician ships were large cargo ships (between 65 and 100 feet long). They were used by merchants to carry large amount of goods and these ships were built ahead of its technological time. The ship would hold about 20 men on board.
  • 150

    Kushan Gold Coin

    Gold coins came from the Kushan Empire that featured many different cultures and showed the diversity through trade. From the Kushan Empire, to the Romans, Greeks, and Buddhist, the coins resembled many different cultures.
  • 200

    Aksum

    Aksum (port city of Adulis) was a major contributor in the Indian Ocean trade network. Exports included gold, ivory, spices, and incense that traveled to multiple countries.
  • 250

    Christianity

    Religion was spreading and Christianity began to consume Alexandria, which created a scholarly environment. Parts of the world began to learn more knowledge and religious beliefs outside of their country.
  • 300

    Sri Lanka

    A very important port in the Indian Ocean trade network. Sri Lanka was a major stopping point for many different cultures. Cinnamon was a popular trade good, along with ivory and tortoiseshell.
  • 500

    Sugar Cane

    Sugar Cane was originated in Southeast Asia and traveled to Persia by the end of the Classical period. This good was classified as a luxury and continued its popular trade after the Classical period was over.
  • 600

    Buddhism

    The Buddhism religion spread throughout Asia from India to China
  • 600

    Diseases

    Chickens and rats were exchanged from Asia to Africa that potentially could carry and transfer diseases from one location to the next. "The arrival of rats, a famous vector for the plague, comes close on the heels of the Justinian Plague outbreak of 541-542 BC in the Eastern Roman Empire and around the Mediterranean," (Planck, 2017). The more trading occurred the more likely it was to transfer diseases.
  • 600

    Frankincense and Myrrh

    Frankincense and myrrh was a type of incense used for religious rituals, but also for medicine and Egyptian mummies. Frankincense and myrrh were transported by Arabs using camels along the trade route of Incense Road. These goods were transported from the Roman Empire to Asia