Tangent relations between the Mediterranean and China have been prominent in ancient times. It is striking that this trade was often done on land. The convoys traversed the distance from the shores of the East China Sea to northern China by land, passing the long distance of at least 11,000 kilometers across difficult terrain, rugged mountains and deserts. The convoys transported silk, perfumes and glass to the east.

 The sea and its vessels played a major role in this trade. A diversified and more diversified maritime trade has grown along the shores of West India, the Persian coasts and the Arabian Gulf, to the south of the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea, Egypt and the Horn of Africa. This Eastern trade aroused the interest of Alexander the Macedonian and Prince Bahrh Nayarkhos, and Alexander sent his prince Nehruchus to carry out a mission of discovery and exploration. Later, after the rise of the Roman Empire, Emperor Augustus Caesar sent a campaign to survey the Red Sea areas and to occupy Yemen. But his attempt failed. The Ptolemies, the rulers of Egypt at that time, were keen to keep the Red Sea roads open and safe for ships carrying goods from East Asia, and in particular from India.

Pharaonic times witnessed a significant activity in the exchange of commercial goods with other countries. The state has always tried to control this trade for profit. While local products provided the Egyptians with most of their needs, they still needed to import wood, metals and semiprecious stones, imported from Asian countries. The incense, perfume and spices were imported by the Pharaohs from Nubia and Puntland (Somalia). At the same time, the pharaohs were interested in exporting the local surplus of the production of papyrus and wheat.

The rulers of ancient Egypt controlled most of the internal commercial routes, and the garrisons were encamped along them. They also set up a garrison on the border to facilitate and protect traffickers. The Nile River also contributed to the facilitation, promotion and facilitation of internal trade. Bridges and canals were erected to facilitate pedestrians, mules and donkeys loaded with goods. Later, horse-drawn vehicles began to be used.

Tags: Trade
Skip to main content