jjares reviewed Ancient Mediterranean Trade: The History of the Trade Routes Throughout the Region and the Birth of Globalization on + 3270 more book reviews
Wealth and power come from trade and this book is a testimony to the increasing trade between nations and city-states around the Mediterranean. Before long, they had created a trading system that can still be seen today. Because of the diversity of counties and their topography, different areas were able to use sailing ships (from about 3000 BCE) to trade their surplus with nations interested in their goods.
With trade came cross-cultural influences between the merchants and various countries. As trade grew, governments started taxing these imports and exports. With the new money, they were able to create huge infrastructure projects and more economic development. Before long, governments wanted to preserve their income through these trade routes above all else. Thus, wars were often fought to control access to goods. Economics started ruling governmental policies; international relations emerged as an important part of politics.
Europe, the Near East, and Africa all profited from their interaction with each other. Their interactions caused each region to adjust how they did things, adapted how others did things, and/or created a new solution. Different cultures could see clearly their 'differences' and 'alikes' with other groups; which helped them form their national or community identities.
After Rome conquered most of the Western world, 'Pax Romana' emerged, offering peace and easy trade for decades. The Romans conquered and decimated Carthage and Corinth (an ancient Peloponnese city), so they would not have to worry about them reemerging as trading powerhouses in the future. This is an interesting and graphic explanation of how economies and countries grew from their trading enterprises.
With trade came cross-cultural influences between the merchants and various countries. As trade grew, governments started taxing these imports and exports. With the new money, they were able to create huge infrastructure projects and more economic development. Before long, governments wanted to preserve their income through these trade routes above all else. Thus, wars were often fought to control access to goods. Economics started ruling governmental policies; international relations emerged as an important part of politics.
Europe, the Near East, and Africa all profited from their interaction with each other. Their interactions caused each region to adjust how they did things, adapted how others did things, and/or created a new solution. Different cultures could see clearly their 'differences' and 'alikes' with other groups; which helped them form their national or community identities.
After Rome conquered most of the Western world, 'Pax Romana' emerged, offering peace and easy trade for decades. The Romans conquered and decimated Carthage and Corinth (an ancient Peloponnese city), so they would not have to worry about them reemerging as trading powerhouses in the future. This is an interesting and graphic explanation of how economies and countries grew from their trading enterprises.
