Networks of Communication Chapter VII Networks of Communication & Exchange 300 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.

Chapter Objectives - Know ALL of these Trade Networks! - Mediterranean Sea - Items Traded/By who? - The Silk Road “ - Indian Ocean “ - Trans-Saharan “ - Sub-Sahara Africa - The importance of Bantu Migrations?

Chapter V Quote “A whole bunch of big technological shocks occurred when Asian innovations: paper, gunpowder, the stirrup, the moldboard plow & so on, came to Europe via the Silk Road.” Charles C. Mann

Mr. Whitaker quote “It was a time of… I’ll trade my P&B Sandwich for your Bologna Sandwich! ALL of the advances of the Eastern Hemisphere were traded. This was a HUGE transfer of knowledge & technology!”

Networks of Communication & Exchange 300 B.C.E. – 600 C.E. (Region 8) Silk Road Indian Ocean (Ship: Dhow) Chapter Seven

The Silk Road Series of caravan routes connecting China & the Middle East to Rome across Central Asia & Iran

Parthians (northern Persians) ruled Iran after the Seleucid kings (from Alexander) concentrated on the Mediterranean Shared customs with the nomads wandering Central Asia Connected Greeks & Romans with China c. 224 Sassanid Empire overtook the Parthians Rivals with Rome (& later, the Byzantines) were focused on trade & religion (Christianity vs. Zoroastrianism)

Impact of the Silk Road Religion was spread throughout: Christianity & Buddhism New variety of goods available throughout the world Inventions spread: stirrup, chariot warfare, & gunpowder

The Silk Road… of the Seas Indian Ocean Maritime System: Network of seaports, trade routes, & culture linking countries on the rim of the Indian Ocean from Africa to Indonesia Lateen Sail - triangular sail that allowed travel of much longer distances Important cargo: Ivory from Africa & India Frankincense & myrrh from Arabia Pearls from the Persian Gulf Spices from India Manufactured goods from India

Indian Ocean Maritime System Most ports did not turn into major towns like the Mediterranean Lack of fresh water & food did not allow cities to grow to great size Isolation from main population groups fostered a sense of community among mixed groups Women raised children of sailors, was more cosmopolitan due to the mixed cultures

Routes Across the Sahara Trans-Saharan caravan routes

? ? ? ? ? ? Trading what?

Early Saharan cultures included hunting societies &, in isolated areas, cattle breeders Later, horse & camel herders joined these groups Camel-riding nomads most likely pioneered the trans-Saharan trade routes, linking North Africa & sub-Saharan trade networks

Sub-Saharan Africa Mediterranean Desert Steppes Savanna Climate Zones Mediterranean Desert Steppes Savanna Tropical Rain Forest

Cultural Identity Great Traditions – religious & social beliefs held across diverse societies over a broad geographical area (written language, law & religion) Small Traditions – localized set of beliefs adhered to be a single society (customs) Sub-Saharan Africa had not developed a “Great Tradition” but many small traditions in agriculture, music, kingship, & social categories (noble, commoner & slave) Large area & small populations allowed greater diversity in culture ?

Iron and the Bantu Migration Iron was most likely an “Independent Invention” The Bantu migration spread iron smelting Originating in modern Nigeria, expansion was slow, possibly caused by desertification Bantu language had common words in many of the Sub-Saharan African Languages, 250-500 to today Today it is a common term to describe most of the Sub-Saharan African peoples

The Spread of Ideas The domestication of pigs was transferred via Trade Routes Buddhism spread throughout the world via trade routes As Buddhism spread, it split into Mahayana (The Great Vehicle) & Theravada (Teachings of the Elder) Nirvana vs. Bodhisattva (Steely Dan) Christianity spread & was firmly established in Armenia & Ethiopia The 3 S’s of trade: Silk, Sea, & Sand