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Normally, a flat-bottomed boat used for setting out from the coast, could be used with or without a sail, and may have been in use from 5000 BCE. Boats aided in travel and transport of goods as well as fishing.
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The Phoenicians dominated trade and travel during the first millennium BCE. They specialized in making glass products. In addition, the Phoenicians imported and exported items like wine, olives and olive oil, wheat, spices, metals, honey, and cedar wood.
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King David establishes Jerusalem as his capital city.
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Bananas were cultivated in other places in Southeast Asia as well, then traveled to India, and may have reached Africa by around 1000 BCE.
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Aryan people began to settle in India.
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From its origins in Southeast Asia, by 1000 BCE, sugar cane had reached India, where it was cultivated on a larger scale. By the end of the Classical Era, sugar was known in Persia as a wonderful luxury for cooking and sweetening.
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Many travelers relied on Polaris also known as the North Star. Since the location of Polaris does not change, many used the star as a guide when traveling.
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The kamal is a simple navigation device used by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean since ancient times.
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During this time the Nubian Kingdom rose at Napata.
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The Zhou kingdom ends in China.
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Persians migrate from Iran to Egypt.
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Nubia dominated Egypt from 712-660 BCE
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The indigo plant was a valuable plant found in documents as early as the 7th century BCE, in Babylon, and later also mentioned in Greek, and Roman sources. Chinese silks were also dyed with indigo during this period.
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The Iron metallurgy had previously been known in North Africa, South East Europe, and Western Asia. At this time another Iron metallurgy becomes known in China.
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Darius I rules the Persian Empire
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Scylax of Caryanda was an explorer. He went exploring in the service of King Darius. On their voyage they were in search of riches from India.
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This was the beginning of the Roman Republic.
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Cinnamon and cassia arrived in the Gulf of Aden on the monsoon winds at least from around 500 BCE. It was then carried on the Red Sea routes or via the parallel overland caravan routes to the Mediterranean.
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Hanno was an admiral from the Phoenician city of Carthage. He sailed around the western coast of Africa.
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Saddles were created for camels and other land animals to ease in transport of goods.
It was useful in establishing a livelihood for pastoral nomads, people who lead herds of animals to pasture in dry regions, and live from their milk, wool, and meat. -
Various diseases surfaced through this period. Some of which spread during travel and trading of goods.
These diseases included:
-Malaria
-Leprosy
-Tuberculosis & more -
The Athenian Empire ruled in Greece during this time.
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City in Ancient Egypt
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Alexander the great conquers Western Asia.
Beginning of Hellenistic period. This period lasted roughly 10 years. -
During this time Egypt was ruled by Ptolemaic Kings.
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Famous Indian Emperor who converted to Buddhism and worked to spread the religion. Beginning around 254 BCE, he had several proclamations on Buddhist teachings carved into rocks, caves, and tall stone pillars. Ashoka helped establish trades.
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Early written records from the Han dynasty in China (206 BCE-220 CE) describe how court officials kept cloves in their mouths to sweeten their breath while talking to the king. The spice was also imported by the Romans, eventually spreading to southern Europe. Cloves were a very important part of the spice trade, connecting the islands of Southeast Asia to the Asian mainland and other distant regions.
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Han Dynasty rules in China.
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The Silk Road officially opens as a trade route.
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Pepper is another major spice that became heavily traded. The peppercorns were believed to have originated in India.
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Strabo the Geographer was a scholar from Greece. He loved traveling, reading scholarly works of others, visiting new lands. He traveled to India and the Mediterranean.
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Rules the Roman Empire.
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It is believed that at this time the birth of Jesus Christ occured. It is said that he was born in Nazareth.
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Historically, the world's best pearls came from the waters of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, particularly near Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman. The pearling industry was very important to the economies of these countries, which exported the gemstones to the Roman Empire and other lands.
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Zhang Quian was an explorer. He was also pioneer of the "Silk Road."
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The Kushan Coins came from the Yuezhi tribe. This tribe of people was of Indian and European decent. These coins were believed to have been the first coins of India. The coins have provided ample evidences of trade with China, central Asia, Egypt and Rome.
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Aksum was an ancient city located in Africa. Aksum contributed to the trade industry by providing gold and ivory. Aksum traded with Greece, India and other countries.
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Pericles was a general during the golden age.
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The start of the Confucianism philosophy
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Three large trade networks developed between 600 BCE and 600 CE. They were the Silk Road, the Indian Ocean trade, and the Saharan trade.
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Buddhism and Hinduism grew throughout this time frame. With the exchange of trade, religions were also passed along and shared.
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Both the Tang & Song Dynasties in China also emphasized foreign trade. Both of these dynasties developed strong trade ties along the Silk Road.
