The Impact Of Trade On The Mediterranean Sea

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Trade has been a universal practice since the beginning of time, occurring not only among members belonging to one civilization, but between other societies as well. Trade was a way for people to have access to resources they otherwise would not be able to have. While trade across land was common, trade by water began to gain more popularity with the invention of better boats. One of the most well-known seas that had much trade occur upon it, is the Mediterranean Sea. Being able to access these ports, made it easier for countries, such as, China and Phoenicia, to not only receive resources they needed, but sell their own products to other societies that were in need of it. Therefore, being able to trade along the Mediterranean, was extremely …show more content…
As stated in Atlas of World History, “The first to extend their trade routes into the western Mediterranean were the Phoenicians” (82). The Phoenicians moved “…having migrated to the Mediterranean and settled in the parts which they now inhabit…” (Herodotus) from their homeland of Canaan to what would be “the coasts of present-day Lebanon, Syria, and Israel” (Phoenicians Establish Trade). Around the 11th century, the Phoenicians began to focus on perfecting and changing their boat-making abilities, so that the boats they created would be able to brave the untamed Mediterranean. The boats made by the Phoenicians were nothing like anything previously seen in societies before. Unlike the poorly crafted rafts used to transport goods beforehand, the Phoenician boats were large, fortified, and able to withstand the harsh conditions of sailing in deep waters. These boats were crafted in such a way that the pieces fit perfectly together, and were not able to be taken apart (Ancient Phoenician Ships). As they were the only society with such ships, it was easy to become the main tradespeople of the Mediterranean. Within a five-hundred year span, the Phoenicians set up major ports along the coast. These ports included Carthage, and Leptis. These ports became very successful and led to “greater access to Western European regions, including areas in present-day Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Northern trade routes along the coast of Asia Minor connected this area with Greece” (Phoenicians Establish

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