Systems of Exchange and Trade
TLF ID M021200
This short (4 minute) video offers an overview of the history of world trade, focusing on the beginnings during the time of agrarian civilisations. The four great civilisations of the Romans, the Kushans, the Parthians and the Han Chinese were the key players, with their development of roads, ports and coin systems. The main trading routes were along the Silk Roads which emerged between Rome and China, centred on the demand for silk. Maritime trade also developed, enabled by ports and the discovery of the monsoon trade winds, which made deep sea travel possible.Other trade routes existed, on a lesser scale, which gave Afro-Eurasia trade the edge, propelled by population growth, immunity to disease and technology.