1. The Post-Classical World

2. THEMES

3. BIG THEMES Spread of “World” RELIGIONS: Emergence of “World” NETWORKS
Buddhism, Christianity, Islam
Emergence of “World” NETWORKS
Old and New Centers of Civilization:
“Developed” world: Built most clearly on achievements of classical civs: Byzantium, Arab empire, India, China
Most sophisticated; largest cities; opulent upper-classes & artistic styles of life; most elaborate political structures
New Civs: Japan // parts of SE Asia // sub-Sahara Africa // Russia // NW’ern Europe

4. Trade & Exchange Networks

5. The SILK ROAD
Interaction between Agricultural Civs. and Pastoral Peoples
-- between OUTER Eurasia & INNER Eurasia

6. The SILK ROAD A series of roads
Works best when large states provide security
Rome, Han
Byzantine Empire, Abbasid Caliphate/dynasty, Tang dynasty
Mongols
HOW transported?
WHAT exchanged?
Luxury items --- what is significance of silk?
Culture/Religion – Buddhism; also Christianity, Islam
Disease – Black Death of 14th c. the worst

7. SEA ROUTES of Afro-Eurasia
MEDITERRANEAN
Early: Phonenicians –
“purple” people
Colonies, trade, alphabet!
By 1000 CE: VENICE
A city-state in NE Italian peninsula
“Italy” NOT Italy until 1860
Link Europe to Indian Ocean Trade
LINKS:
N to S inland waterway: Scandinavia >> Kievan Rus [Novgorod] >> Byzantium [Constantinople]
N to S land routes in Africa:
GOLD-SALT Trans-Saharan in W. Africa
Inland routes in E. & S. Africa.

8. INDIAN OCEAN Most important trade route to 1500 WHY? Diversity.
Cheaper than Land Transport.
Bulk goods (vs. Luxury goods)
MONSOONS.