Connections: Beyond the Classical Civilizations

Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Kingdom of Ethiopia Kingdom of Kush Est. by 1000 BCE Monarchy with complex rituals Kingdom of Axum Conquered the Kingdom of Kush by 300 BCE Kingdom of Ethiopia Conquered Axum Both Axum and Ethiopia traded with the Med. World until the fall of Rome Some convert to Judaism and Christianity by 300 CE

Western Africa Extensive agriculture spreads to the fringes of Sahara Root crops and by 100 CE plantains Regional Kingdoms form Ghana emerges as the largest and most influential

Asia Japan agriculture well-established by 200 C.E. regional states, c. 300 C.E. writing introduced 400 C.E. Shintoism organized by 700 C.E. state formation by 600 C.E

Northern Europe Germanic, Celtic, Slavic peoples loose kingdoms oral culture simple agriculture sailing animistic

The Americas and Polynesia Maya Successors to the Olmec Establish the first great civilization in Mesoamerica Inca Develop in modern day Peru and Bolivia Est. a complex society ruled by an emperor Polynesian societies Develop in isolation due to geography Fiji, Samoa by 1000 B.C.E. Hawaii by 400 C.E.

Silk Road (150 BCE-907 CE) Overland trade route Connected China to the Med. World via Mesopotamia, Iran, and central Asia Allowed for the transfer of goods and technology Paper, stirrup, silk from East Metals, grapes, medicinal products from the West Those that lived along the rout became wealthy and powerful

Indian Ocean Trade Network Over sea trade route Linked the three regions South China Sea Southeast Asia to west coast of India West coast of India to Persian Gulf and East Africa Improvement in sailing technology Lateen sail No political ties due to distance of trade network Traded spices, pearls, Chinese pottery, and luxury items

Saharan Trade Networks Two Regions Sub-Saharan and Med. fringes Traded salt, kola-nuts, palm oil from the southern Saharan region Wild animals to the Mediterranean world