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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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!”

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

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

10. 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)

11. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Routes Across the Sahara
Trans-Saharan caravan routes

16. ? ? ? ? ? ?
Trading what?

17. 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

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

19. 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 ?

21. 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, to today
Today it is a common term to describe most of the Sub-Saharan African peoples

22. 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