Chapter Seven

Series of caravan routes connecting China and the Middle East to Rome across Central Asia and Iran

Parthians (northern Persians) ruled Iran after the Seleucid kings (from Alexander) concentrate on the Mediterranean Shared customs with the nomads wandering Central Asia Connected Greeks and Romans with China ca. 224 Sasanid Empire overtakes the Parthians Rivals with Rome (Byzantine) was focused on trade and religion (Christianity vs. Zoaroastrianism)

Impact of the Silk Road Religion was spread throughout: Christianity and Buddhism New variety of goods available throughout the world Inventions spread: stirrup, chariot warfare

Indian Ocean Maritime System– a network of seaports, trade routes, and culture linking countries on the rim of the Indian Ocean from Africa to Indonesia Lateen Sail – triangular sail that allows travel of much longer distances Important cargo: Ivory from Africa and India Frankincense and myrrh from Arabia Pearls from the Persian Gulf Spices from India Manufactured goods from India

Most ports did not turn into major towns like the Mediterranean Lack of fresh water and food did not allow cities to grow Isolation from main population groups fostered a sense of community among mixed groups Women raised children of sailors more cosmopolitan due to the mixed cultures

Trans-Saharan caravan routes

Early Saharan cultures included hunting societies and, in isolated areas, cattle breeders Later, horse and camel herders joined these groups Camel-riding nomads most likely pioneered the trans- Saharan trade routes, linking North Africa and sub- Saharan trade networks

Mediterranean Desert Steppes Savanna Tropical Rain Forest Savanna Steppes Desert Mediterranean

Cultural Identity Great Traditions – religious and social beliefs held across diverse societies over a broad geographical area (written language, law and religion) Small Traditions – localized set of beliefs adhered to be a single society (customs) Sub-Saharan Africa had not developed a “Great Tradition” but many small traditions in agriculture, music, kingship, and social categories (noble, commoner and slave) Large area and small populations allowed greater diversity in culture

Iron and the Bantu Migration Iron was most likely and “Independent Invention” The Bantu “people” migration spread iron smelting Originating in modern Nigeria, expansion was slow, possibly caused by desertification Bantu language has common words in many of the Sub- Saharan African Languages today Today it is a common term to describe most of the Sub- Saharan African peoples

There is some evidence that the domestication of pigs was transferred via trade routes Buddhism was spread throughout the world via trade routes As Buddhism spread, it split into Mahayana (Great Vehicle) and Theravada (Teachings of the Elder) Nirvana vs. Bodhisattva Christianity spreads as well and is firmly established in Armenia and Ethiopia The three S’s of trade: Silk, Sea, and Sand