Expanding Empires, Expanding Trade

The development of empires was closely linked to the control of international trade. Commerce around the Mediterranean in the first millennium BC was dominated by the Greeks – but in his efforts to extend his empire, Alexander the Great made advances to take control of the Indian trade too. A similar pattern is seen in the emergence of the Roman Empire, which had access to the eastern market through Egypt, and at the same time, the Chinese empire was opening trade routes to the west to strengthen its own power. 

Related Information

  • Author(s):
    Struan Reid
    Era:
    7th century BC to 7th century AD
    Language of article:
    English
    Source:

    Silk and Spice Routes, Exploration by the sea

    Format:
    PDF
    Countries:
    China, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Türkiye

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