Networks of Communication and Exchange
300 BCE - 600 CE
Bantu Migrations - impact:
- native sub-saharans hunting and gathering intermarried with the bantu and learned how to farm
- brought iron smelting to sub-saharans as well as iron weapons to replace wood, stone, and bone (since the bantu had iron, they had the advantage, and were the teaching group)
- brought their language to the click-speaking sub-saharans
Four Networks of Trade - interconnecting
Sub-Saharan Africa, Rome and the Mediterranean, China, and India.
What developments reduced the risks of long-distance trade and stimulated trade in classical times?
- Small empires had much ungoverned space between them, and brigands and such caused traveling issues. When empires grew larger, the areas of protection expanded until they bordered each other.
- Roads and bridges were built for mainly military purposes but stimulated trade as well. Rome, Han's corridor to Bactria, Persia's roads with rest stops, etcetera.
- Technology such as boats developed apace.
Alexander the Great's conquests brought Greek civilization into contact with eastern ideas. He conquered all the way to India, spreading the Hellenistic culture, and since he'd conquered everything that was anything except China, their ideas merged with the Hellenistic ones.
The Selucid empire, from the Mediterranean to Bactria, controlled the lands, linking from Bactria to the sea, and they are connected to India through Bactria. Also they are connected to Phonecian ports.
Ptolemaic empire, in Egypt watched over land trade and sea trade, in the Mediterranean and in the Red sea. They built a port on the Red Sea called Burnese, which was very important and connected Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Africa, and India, and they observed the monsoons in order to know the right time to sail.
Major trade routes of the classical period: maritime silk road through the Indian ocean, silk road through Arabia, Persia, India, and China, down around the horn of Africa, throughout the mediterranean, and throughout sub-saharan africa.
Two major types of trade contacts:
Land routes (trans-saharan, silk road)
Sea routes (indian ocean, mediterranean sea)
Tran-Saharan Trade Contacts:
Weaving web of trade throughout the Sahara.
This is made possible through the domestication of the camel and development of a saddle.
Items from Sub-Saharan Africa first went to Eastern Africa, to Meroe and Axsum, where it then expanded.
Silent trade, as described earlier, was often utilized.
Desert salt was an important trading commodity.
They exported forest products, kola nuts, palm oil, rhinoceros horns, tortoise shells, ivory, emeralds, and gold. And salt.
They imported cloth, glass, olive oil, wine, brass, iron, and copper.
Sailing - Mediterranean versus Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean:
- strong seasonal winds made navigation difficult, so a triangular sail called a lateen sail was used
- this sail was more maneuverable
- boats were smaller than those used in the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea:
- very calm waters (normally)
- sails large and flat to pick up wind
- ships had rowers and stayed close to the shore
- ships were larger to house the numerous oarsmen
Mediterranean Sea Trade:
- sea lanes linked the port of Rome (Ostia) to Syria, Palestine, Spain, and north Africa
- Roman military and naval power kept the sea lanes largely free from pirates
- dominated by Roman mariners
Ideas, People, and Diseases:
- Buddhism to China and Southeast Asia by both land and sea
- Hinduism spreads to Southeast Asia through sea trade routes, across the bay of bengal
- Christianity becomes dominant and Rome and goes to Mesopotamia, Iran, Persia, Ethiopia (324 - early), Gaul, and India (Armenia, kings convert and Christianity shoots east)
- Zoroastrianism to India, influence on Christianity and Judaism
- Indian influence on Christianity, asceticism, return to West
- King's religion and conversions affect the entire populace
- Kings in southeast asia called themselves rajah, built indian-style temples and walls, and used sanskrit as an official language
- Southeast asia - cults of Shiva and Vishnu
Buddhism:
- by post-classical times it became the most popular religion in east Asia (Japan, Korea, China) though it was spreading in classical times
- brought its artistic styles and literature to these countries (especially China)
- Fuxian: Chinese official who traveled along the silk road, visited Buddhist monasteries, and was so interested he went to Sri Lanka for two years and studied it. Then he went home and spread it. He was gone for 15 years (he got stranded on Java for six months on the way back, he was taking the Indian Ocean system).
- Merchants from India with following monks also spread it. Rich merchants convert, give monks lots of money, and the begging bowls become just symbols.
- Evolution - Mahayana Buddhists now don't have to be monks. This is good for China because monks can't carry on the family name! The main goal becomes to be a bodhisattva. Confucius and Laodzi became bodhisattvas. Gods became bodhisattvas - similar to Hinduism, incorporating local gods. Buddhist beliefs about celibacy and monks changed to work with Confucian values. Buddhism and Hellenistic art styles.
- Buddhism doesn't become very popular in China until the Han fall.
Christianity:
- Asceticism in India influences monks and hermits - Europe, North Africa, Greek islands - hermits and monks who withdraw from everything. Meditation to praying. Vows of celibacy.
- Buddhism and Christianity: performance of miracles, virgin birth, heaven, three aspects of buddha (heaven, earth, spirit)
Disease:
Reading.
Smallpox, measles, bubonic plague
1/3 Roman population dies. Including Marcus Aurelius.
1/5 Chinese population dies.
Persia and India and Arabia were probably impacted also.
Brought fall of Roman empire and instability in others.
Trade declines worldwide, greater self-sufficiency.
Migration:
Bantus migrate gradually and over a long time.
Huns migrations to Persia, India, Rome
Germanic tribes migrate
Polynesians migrate from southeast asia outwards, gradually and over a long time. They used two hollowed-out canoes with a raft in-between and sails on the front and back of the raft.
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