Trans-regional Trade Networks Cultural, Technological, and Biological Exchanges, 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.

Networks of Communication & Exchange Large scale empires = increase in long distance trade Developed from a demand for raw materials and luxury goods Land and Water routes link regions of Eastern Hemisphere Alongside trade, there was an exchange of: People Technology Religious and Cultural Beliefs Food Crops Domesticated Animals Disease Pathogens

Networks of Communication & Exchange

Long Distance Trade Two developments lead to increased trade: Building of roads Large imperial states Major Trade Routes: The Silk Road Trans-Saharan Route (Gold Road) Indian Ocean Trade Routes Mediterranean Sea Lanes Eurasian

The Silk Road Trade in silk grew under the Han Dynasty in the first and second centuries C.E. Central Asian herders ran caravans linking trade between China and urban areas in Mesopotamia. The domestication of pack animals such as the horse, oxen, and mule allowed goods to be transported long distances The introduction of new technologies such as yokes, saddles, and stirrups also increased the distances goods could travel

The Silk Road Central Asian military technologies like the stirrup were exported east and west. This significantly impacted the conduct of war at this time.

The Silk Road The 7000 mile route spanned China, Central Asia, Northern India, and the Roman Empire. It connected the Yellow River Valley to the Mediterranean Sea

The Silk Road The Chinese traded their silk with the Indians for precious stones and metals such as jade, gold, and silver, and the Indians would trade the silk with the Roman Empire Buddhism spread from India to China along the route

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes Becomes known as the “Gold Road”:

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes Early Saharan trade patterns included the exchange of salt and palm oil. During the days of the Roman Empire, North Africa also supplied Italy with olives, wheat and wild animals. Later, during the African empires of Mali and Ghana, gold became the major trade commodity out of Africa (followed later by slaves)

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes Geography of Sahara desert made early trade difficult Introduction of camel from Arabia sometime between 1st and 3rd centuries C.E. Flat feet, ability to store fat and water By the early 3rd century, caravans crisscrossed the Sahara to trade with Mediterranean and Arab worlds

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes “Ships of the desert”:

Indian Ocean Trade Routes In addition to the Silk Road, trade routes developed between Africa, Europe, and Asia through the Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean Trade Routes The Indian Ocean trade network included sailors from China Malaysia, Southeast Asia and Persia. Chinese pottery was traded along with Indian spices and ivory from India and Africa. The banana came to Africa from S.E. Asia via the Indian Ocean. The banana spread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The Indian Ocean trade network will continue to play a major role in the development of the Eastern Hemisphere well into the 16th century.

Indian Ocean Trade Routes New knowledge of the monsoon winds allowed sailors to quickly sail between East Africa and East Asia Cosmopolitan cities developed in ports as sailors awaited the winds

Indian Ocean Trade Routes New maritime technologies such as the lateen sail and dhow ship also increased exchanges between the two zones Dhow ship with lateen sail

Mediterranean Sea Lanes An extensive network of trade routes developed throughout the Mediterranean regions as well Linked up with the Silk Road and Gold Road to transport goods to west Europe

Impact of Trade Routes As traders and merchants moved along these trade routes, not only did they exchanged goods, but they shared ideas, technology, religions, cultures, food crops, domesticated animals, and diseases. Process known as “diffusion”

Impact of Trade Routes Cultural Diffusion: Spreading of religions Buddhism from India to China via the Silk Road Christianity around the Mediterranean regions via merchant ships and Roman trade Islam across North Africa via the Trans-Saharan Trade routes

Impact of Trade Routes Cultural Diffusion: Spreading of religions

Impact of Trade Routes Cultural Diffusion: Numeric systems Arabic traders adopted from Hindu merchants and eventually shared the ideas with Europeans who adopted them for their own needs

It was all about angles that the Arabic traders used: Impact of Trade Routes Cultural Diffusion: Numeric systems Even more interesting is why our numbers look like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc… It was all about angles that the Arabic traders used:

Impact of Trade Routes Cultural Diffusion: Foodstuffs Clothing Rice and cotton from China to Middle East Clothing Persian head wrap in Hellenistic culture and eventually adopted as a Muslim religious tradition (hijab)

Impact of Trade Routes Technological Diffusion Irrigation Techniques The qanat system of Persia spreads across Asia and Africa Paper making Techniques in making paper spread from China across Eurasia (751CE Battle of Talas; Abbasids v Tang)

Impact of Trade Routes Biological Diffusion Diseases carried by traders moved swiftly from place to place along with the goods Several major plagues wipe out vast populations in Central Asia and Europe People had not been exposed to these diseases Urban areas hit hardest

Impact of Trade Routes Biological Diffusion During 2nd and 3rd centuries, major epidemics hit Roman and Han empires Smallpox and measles Severely weaken empires as populations shrink Less soldiers Less taxes

Impact of Trade Routes Smallpox:

Changes and Continuities Move from barter to coins as system of exchange Greater interaction between civilizations – direct links between Rome and China Cultural diffusion through trade – spread of religion, architecture, disease Decline in trade in Europe after fall of Rome

Changes and Continuities Dominance of India and China in trade China’s demand for silver The Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade routes Constantinople as western trade hub