The Trade Routes of the Ancient and Medieval World

The Trade Routes of the Ancient and Medieval World

by Mr. Boswell & Mr. Jackson

What is a trade route?

• A trade route is a established road for breaking different items from one place to another.

• It can be by land or water.

• There are regular towns or stops along the way for travelers.

The Five Main Trade Routes

• The Mediterranean Sea Complex

• The Silk Road

• The Indian Ocean Complex

• The Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

• Columbian Exchange

The Mediterranean Sea Complex

• This set of trade routes involved land around the Mediterranean Sea.

• It included ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, Spain. and Turkey

• It included land routes between ports and important sources of materials.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following places was NOT part of the Mediterranean Sea Complex?

• Italy

• China

• Greece

• Egypt

The Silk Road

• The Silk Road is a land route between Europe and China.

• It crossed deserts, mountains and flat plains.

• Many empires fought for control of these lucrative trade routes.

• Most travel was by camel or horse and they carried only lighter, expensive items.

Multiple Choice

How did most goods travel on the Silk Road?

• By horse or camel

• By boat

• By people carrying them

• by large wagon trains

Multiple Choice

Because goods had to travel long distances on horse or camel, most goods carried were?

• Cheaper items

• Heavier items

• Expensive items

• Larger items

Multiple Choice

According to the chart, where would merchants go to buy silk?

• Middle East

• India

• China

• Rome

Indian Ocean Complex

• The IOC was a water trade route between Africa, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia.

• Because boats could carry larger items, it carried a large variety of goods, not all of them expensive.

Multiple Choice

According to the map, what could a merchant find ivory?

• Middle East

• Indonesia

• China

• East Africa/India

The Monsoon Winds

• The traders in the Indian Ocean used strong winds to push their ships.

• From November to February, it would push them south towards Africa.

• From April to September, it pushed them north towards Asia.

Multiple Choice

If a merchant ship was sailing in December, which direction would it travel?

• North

• South

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

• This route was across the Sahara Desert.

• The two most important items traded were gold and salt.

• Merchants had to risk their lives to travel by camel caravans.

Multiple Choice

What were the two most important trade goods on the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes?

• Slaves and ivory

• Porcelain and silk

• Gold and salt

• Glass and silver

Columbian Exchange

• This set of trade routes occurred after Columbus "discovered" the Americas.

• Many American goods traveled to Europe, while many European, Asian and African goods and diseases went westward.

Multiple Choice

The Columbian Exchange occurred between the Old World and the New World. What was the New World?

• Europe

• Asia

• Americas

• Australia

Multiple Select

Which trade routes were on water? (Choose all that apply)

• Mediterranean Sea Complex

• Silk Road

• Indian Ocean Complex

• Trans-Saharan Trade

• Columbian Exchange

Multiple Select

Which trade routes used camels for carrying goods? (Choose all that apply)

• Columbian Exchange

• Mediterranean Sea Complex

• Trans-Saharan Trade

• Silk Road