Indian Ocean trade during the Classical Era

  • Banana
    1000 BCE

    Banana

    Bananas were grown in Asia and later traveled to India. They may have even gone as far as Africa or the middle east.
  • Sugar Cane
    1000 BCE

    Sugar Cane

    This luxury for cooking and sweetening foods originated from south east Asia and later was known as far as Persia
  • Persia
    750 BCE

    Persia

    The Persian people migrated from Asia to Iran
  • Indigo Plant
    700 BCE

    Indigo Plant

    This plant dates back as far as the 7th century, Chinese used these plants to dye their clothes. before this civilization such as Greece used this plant as well.
  • Iron and Silk
    600 BCE

    Iron and Silk

    Silk and iron were introduced through the trade system to China and India. Silk was highly prized possession in India, the middle east, and Rome.
  • Sailing for trade
    500 BCE

    Sailing for trade

    Greeks and Romans went on voyage to the indian ocean at 500 BC to trade ceramics, gold, olives, oil and wine.
  • Buddist
    500 BCE

    Buddist

    Because of the silk road Buddhist beliefs began to spread
  • Cinnamon
    500 BCE

    Cinnamon

    Cinnamon arrived in the gulf of Aden
  • Isthmus of Kra
    400 BCE

    Isthmus of Kra

    A narrow strip of land that connects Malay peninsula to Asia. Traders reached India by crossing this strip. Making trading much easier.
  • Alexandria
    332 BCE

    Alexandria

    a place of international trade connecting Rome, Africa,Arabian peninsula, and Asia
  • Berenike
    300 BCE

    Berenike

    a major center of international trade where goods such as pottery, beads, wood, and bamboo, spices, myrrh, Frankencense, pearls, and textiles were traded.
  • Camel
    200 BCE

    Camel

    The one hump Camel spread from southern Arabia to Somalia in east Africa. Furthermore it spread from there to Ethiopia and Egypt.
  • Pepper
    100 BCE

    Pepper

    Pepper was very important and valuable during the spice trade, and was as good as money or gold in ancient Rome.