Classical Era: 1000 B.C.E. to 300 C.E.

Bananas

1000 BCE

Bananas were first cultivated by people in 8000 BCE on the island of New Guinea. The cultivation of bananas then traveled to Southeast Asia, India, and Africa.

Phoenicians

1000 BCE

The Phoenicians imported and exported items like wine, olives and olive oil, wheat, spices, metals, honey, and cedar wood.
The Phoenicians traveled further than any previous Mediterranean society and developed some of the most advanced ships and navigation techniques of their time.

Sugar cane

1000 BCE

By 1000 BCE, sugar can had reached India. Sugar cane was cultivated on a much larger scale and was even cross-pollinated with other varieties of cane.

Classical Era: 1000 B.C.E. to 300 C.E.

Period: 1000 BCE to 300

During the classical era, a lot trading took place between the Swahili coast cities, Islamic empires, India, China, and Southeast Asia. The Indian Ocean allowed this importing and exporting of goods possible. The monsoon seasons were also a positive contribution to the distribution of goods and materials because it eased the voyage of boats/ships by the strong winds produced.

Astrolabe

900 BCE

The astrolabe was made by artisan Khafif. It was a device used by sailors to aid in finding earth's latitudinal points.

Islam

700 BCE

Islamic religion spread through the importing and exporting of goods and materials.

Triangular Lateen Sail

600 BCE

Triangular shaped sails that allowed boats to make sharper turns and sail faster. This allowed sailors to rely less on the wind and more on the directions of their sails.

Iron

600 BCE

Iron made its way to China.

Confucius

551 BCE

Confucius developed concepts about society, education, and government that continued to be followed in China. Confucianism would eventually be known world wide.

Alexander the Great

550 BCE

A military leader who led an army of 48,500 soldiers to leave Greece. He and his army defeated the Persian Empire and extended Greek control and influence over the lands of western Asia, Egypt, Central Asia, and the Indus Valley.

Camel Saddle

500 BCE

The camel saddle was developed in Northern Arabia. The one-humped camel was already widespread in Southwest Asia and North Africa. This saddle made travel easier for pastoral nomads who had to move their herds where their was food and water. Pastoral nomads relied on the milk, wool, and meat of their herds.

Hanno- admiral from the Phoenician city of Carthage

500 BCE

Hanno made a voyage around the western coast of Africa. He successfully established several colonies along the Moroccan coast. He also established a trading post on a small island off the coast of Mauritania.

Cinnamon

440 BCE

Cultivation and trade of cinnamon began to increase. The origin of cinnamon is controversial and still to be determined.

Athenian Plague

430 BCE

This plague killed 1/3 of the population of Athens, including Pericles.

Trans-Saharan Trade

300 BCE

Trade routes through the desert were made possible with the use of camels for a means of transportation.

Ashoka

254 BCE

Ashoka, one of the most famous Indian emperors, worked to spread the religion of Buddhism. He had several proclamations on Buddhist teachings carved into rocks, caves, and tall stone pillars. He sent religious envoys abroad and encouraged contact and interactions that contributed to the establishment of trade relations. Under his rule, India traded with cultures in both West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Chinese Junk Boats

220 BCE

Chinese Junk Boat came into use on the open seas. These boats were much larger with stern rudders.

Cloves

206 BCE

Cloves were a luxury item. Cloves were traded along routes stretching from Europe to China.

Zhang Qian

106 BCE

What we refer to as the "Silk Road" was a trade route established by Zhang Qian. He introduced Chinese culture and technology to each land he visited. He also gathered new information and goods from each land he visited and brought them back with him. This information and goods included things such as music, dance, grapes, pomegranates, watermelon, and walnuts.

Pearls

100 BCE

Pearls were a Roman favorite. They took up little room onboard ships, making them easily transportable. They were used to make jewelry, decorations, and medicine.

Frankincense & Myrrh

77 BCE

Frankincense and Myrrh are native spices to the Arabian Peninsula. Around 77 CE, Roman author and naturalist Pliny the Elder writes about the importance of both spices and the demand for both.