Since Mesopotamia had few natural resources, the people there had to
trade to meet many of their everyday needs. They exchanged the grain, oils,
and woven fabrics they made for wood, wine, metals, precious stones, and
more. For local trade merchants strapped goods on their back or carried
them in sacks. Those traveling farther might carry goods by donkey or cart,
but larger loads were usually sent by ship.
In fact, more Mesopotamian trade was by river or sea than by land, using
different types of boats for different purposes. Rafts made of wooden
platforms with animal skins underneath carried small loads in narrow rivers
or streams. Crafts of animal skins or reeds tied together could carry
somewhat heavier cargo downriver. Both were covered in bitumen, a natural
tar-like substance that made the boats waterproof. Gulf boats, which took
goods into the Persian Gulf and beyond, were stronger and tougher than
river boats. These were made of reed or wood and heavily coated with
bitumen.
Trade truly was the life’s blood to people all around Ancient Mesopotamia
It is not surprising that merchants held fairly high status among people of
the time.
DIRECTIONS: The social class system in Ancient Mesopotamia basically had
four social classes. Use information from the passage and your own ideas to
fill in the social ladder, placing each of the following groups in the class
where you think it fits from lowest to highest:
Farmers
Merchants
The king and royal family
High priests
Lower priests
Slaves
High government officials
Scribes (official recorders)
Craftsmen
Most citizens
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I am Balthazar of Tyre; that is one of the large Phoenician cities on
the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. I am a merchant, and a
very successful one, I might tell you. Yet there are many who do as I.
Though we compete for workers and our fortunes, we also work
together as I shall explain. The fact is that our civilization is based
upon trade. The Phoenician people have built ships and sailed the seas
as far in the past as anyone can recall or read history therof.
Our trade, you see, is two-fold: by the land and the sea. The land
trade in particular demands cooperation. ‘Tis the norm for many
merchants to join together in caravans to travel the dangerous deserts
fraught with thieves. Caravans offer protection and also attract large
crowds that turn out to trade for our wares.
Much of what we sell comes from Phoenician colonies around the
Mediterranean or trade with other lands. However, our cities are
greatly-known for the purple dye we make from the abundant shellfish
here. Our dye is prized in lands near and far.
As to our land trading partners, the closest are the Hebrews and the
Syrians. From the Jews of Israel, we obtain grain, chiefly wheat and
barley, as well as wine, olive oil, honey, balsam, and oak timber. With
the Syrians, we trade for the wine of Hebron, the favored drink of the
king of Persia, and white wool from sheep fed on the fine grass on the
mountain slopes. The Syrians also provide cotton, embroidered robes,
and precious stones.
The wood most Phoenician shipbuilders prefer is cedar, from
Lebanon, which we trade for by caravan. Such is also the main method
of trade with Babylonia and Assyria. These lands offer tin for making
bronze as well as rich, heavily embroidered fabrics so precious they
are packed in chests of cedar wood. All of these goods are sold in
Phoenicia and also traded with the Greeks, who of course buy our dye
as well, as do all with whom we conduct business.
Our trade with Arabia is greatly important. That land provides wool
from sheep and goats; gold; precious stones; and wrought iron.
Arabian traders also supply us with goods they acquire in trading with
India or lands in between. We can obtain Indian spices, including
frankincense, cinnamon, cassia, myrrh, and sweet cane, and ivory
carved from the tusks of Indian elephants.
From the Armenians we obtain horses of common and noble breeds
and mules as well. Mules are also greatly desired in other places of
mountainous land, since they are so sure of foot. The source of most
of the slaves we trade is from the land just beyond Armenia. Of course
no one asks how the slaves came to be for sale, but I would not place
kidnapping, be it men, women, or children, beyond reason.
©InspirEd Educators, Inc.
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Our trade with Egypt is also extensive. Wealthy Phoenicians are fond
of Egyptian linen, and often use the fabric stitched with bright patterns
for the sails of their pleasure boats. We also obtain glass works,
papyrus, earthenware, and more. Though we can travel overland,
most trips to Egypt are by sea.
Our large, two-level ships with two sets of rowers are worthy for the
Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and even the Great Ocean. And
should we catch a wind in our sails, so much the better. We conduct
sea trade with our own colonies as well as distant lands. For the
purposes of trade, my people have established colonies around the
Mediterranean for the products they offer. For example we took control
of the island of Cyprus for its copper mines and timber; Cilicia and
Lycia for timber alone; Thasos for its gold mines; and other islands in
the area for the sea shells that allow us to expand our production of
our famed purple dye. We conquered North Africa for its fertile
farmland and land trade routes to the south and annexed Sardinia and
Spain for their metals. In all cases Phoenicia supplies its colonies, in
turn, with our own goods as well as with products made from traded
materials and other lands’ trade goods, also.
Beyond our own empire, Phoenicians trade with lands along the
west coast of Africa, where we trade for the skins of deer, lions,
panthers, elephants, and other animals. Ivory, from the tusks of
elephants, is especially prized along with gold, which is mined there.
From us, the Africans prefer wines and our dye.
Our ships also sail the Atlantic north to the British Isles and into the
Baltic Sea. British tin is superior to any, and the traders there seek
skins, pottery, salt, and items of bronze for tools and tableware. The
Baltic coast is the source of amber, which is of great value.
Of one other trade route I am unsure, and shall share the
information thus. I have at times heard of some brave souls who have
in fact sailed around the south of Africa to trade goods direct with the
merchants of India. Now, I, myself, have never embarked upon such
as dangerous journey and would never do as much. Still, should other
have done this, I would say the feat is one that is due impress. As I’ve
told, I do not know if these tales of others are true and they may not
be.
In any event, what is true is that trade is everything to Phoenicia. It
is our way of means of support; it is our reason for empire; and it is
our culture. Phoenician ships can sail as no others. It is the wonder of
our ships that has allowed our land to achieve great wealth and has
earned the respect of most
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©InspirEd Educators, Inc.
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