Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

While scholars have long documented the migration of people in ancient and medieval times, they have paid less attention to those who traveled across borders with some regularity. This study of early transnational relations explores the routine interaction of people across the boundaries of empires, tribal confederacies, kingdoms, and city-states, paying particular attention to the role of long-distance trade along the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. It examines the obstacles voyagers faced, including limited travel and communication capabilities, relatively poor geographical knowledge, and the dangers of a fragmented and shifting political landscape, and offers profiles of better-known transnational elites such as the Hellenic scholar Herodotus and the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, as well lesser known servants, merchants, and sailors. By revealing the important political, economic, and cultural role cross-border trade and travel played in ancient society, this work demonstrates that transnationalism is not unique to modern times.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

1110840927
Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

While scholars have long documented the migration of people in ancient and medieval times, they have paid less attention to those who traveled across borders with some regularity. This study of early transnational relations explores the routine interaction of people across the boundaries of empires, tribal confederacies, kingdoms, and city-states, paying particular attention to the role of long-distance trade along the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. It examines the obstacles voyagers faced, including limited travel and communication capabilities, relatively poor geographical knowledge, and the dangers of a fragmented and shifting political landscape, and offers profiles of better-known transnational elites such as the Hellenic scholar Herodotus and the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, as well lesser known servants, merchants, and sailors. By revealing the important political, economic, and cultural role cross-border trade and travel played in ancient society, this work demonstrates that transnationalism is not unique to modern times.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

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Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

by Michael C. Howard
Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel

by Michael C. Howard

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$39.95 
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Overview

While scholars have long documented the migration of people in ancient and medieval times, they have paid less attention to those who traveled across borders with some regularity. This study of early transnational relations explores the routine interaction of people across the boundaries of empires, tribal confederacies, kingdoms, and city-states, paying particular attention to the role of long-distance trade along the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. It examines the obstacles voyagers faced, including limited travel and communication capabilities, relatively poor geographical knowledge, and the dangers of a fragmented and shifting political landscape, and offers profiles of better-known transnational elites such as the Hellenic scholar Herodotus and the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, as well lesser known servants, merchants, and sailors. By revealing the important political, economic, and cultural role cross-border trade and travel played in ancient society, this work demonstrates that transnationalism is not unique to modern times.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786468034
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 03/08/2012
Pages: 313
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Michael C. Howard is a professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. He is editor of the series Studies in the Material Cultures of Southeast Asia and author or editor of more than 30 books.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     
Introduction   

1. Basic Features of Transnationalism in the Ancient and Medieval World     
Societal Types     
Contexts     
Motivations and Personnel     
Transportation and Communication     

2. Ancient Empires   
The Middle East     
South Asia     
The Roman Empire     
East Asia     

3. Medieval Empires   

The Byzantine Empire     
South Asia     
The Caliphates     
The Tang and Song Empires     
The Mongol Empires     
The Aztec Empire     

4. Polities Along the Major Trade Routes     
The Yuezhi-Kushan     
Tamil Kingdoms     
Malay Kingdoms     

5. Long-distance Trade Goods     
Obsidian     
Beads     
Textiles     
Copper and Bronze     
Gemstones     
Incense     
Tropical Spices     
Tea     

6. Long-distance Traders     
Phoenicians     
Greeks     
Sogdians     
Trans-Saharan Caravan Traders     
Vikings     
Nestorian Christians     
Radhanites and Other Jewish Traders     
Marco Polo and the Venetians     
Gujaratis     
Ryukyuans     
Aztec Traders     

7. Merchant Communities     
The Middle East     
South Asia     
Melaka     
Guangzhou     
Western Europe     

8. Cities     
Mesopotamian Cities     
Mediterranean Cities     
South Asian Cities     
East Asian Cities     
Southeast Asian Cities     
New World Cities: Teotihuacán     

9. Soldiers     
Mercenaries in the Ancient Mediterranean     
The Roman Empire’s Army     
Medieval Mercenaries in Europe     
Chinese Imperial Armies     
The Aztec Military     

10. Monks and Scholars     
Transnational Buddhists     
Hellenic Scholars     
Transnational Christians     
Transnational Muslims     

Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     
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