Ptolemaic Egyptian Geography

The City of Alexandria in Ptolemaic Egypt: 320 B.C.E.

Alexandria was named after Alexander III of Macedon, who dominated the eastern Mediterranean politically, culturally, and economically.9 Alexandria did not become as successful as it was until after the death of Alexander the Great and the start of the Ptolemaic kingdom.10 The Ptolemies raised the quality of Egyptian enhanced agriculture by using irrigation and introducing more crops cotton and grapes. They also became a wealthier kingdom by increasing foreign trade, which helped make luxurious products available for more of the population.11 A major factor in the success of Alexandria was its key geographic location, on the coast of the Mediterranean, serving as a bridge between Europe

As the empires expanded, trade networks were created by merchants and travelers, linking Eurasia and northern Africa, and the networks created what is known as the silk roads, named after China’s silk production. Caravans were used on land in the silk roads from China to the Roman empire. The silk roads integrated numerous societies and linked them by trade. The road went west from Chang’an to Taklamakan, splitting into two main branches. The roads also went through Bactria ,Taxila, northern India, and Palmyra. The silk roads also included sea routes which maintained maritime trade and commerce. Sea lanes passed through the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea. Many manufactured products became the objects of trade during the silk road trading. Silk and spices traveled west from southeast Asia. Silk came from China because they developed good techniques for sericulture. Spices such as clove, nutmeg, mace, and cardamom came from southeast Asia. Ginger was from China, cinnamon was from China and southeast Asia, pepper from India, and sesame oil from India, Arabia, and southwest Asia. Spices were very important because they served as condiments, flavoring agents, drugs, anesthetics, aphrodisiacs, perfumes aromatics, and magical potions. India also shipped cotton textiles and exotic items. Central Asia had horses and jade. The Roman empire had glassware,

Textile production, silk in particular, became important industries. Even though sericulture dated back to before the Xia dynasty, it expanded from the Yellow river valley into the rest of China later. The spread and development of sericulture was especially quick in southern China, and the industry thrived after long distance trade was established with the western regions. The Chinese used advanced sericulture techniques to produce fine silk. The silkworms were bred and also fed chopped mulberry leaves. They carefully unravelled their cocoons to obtain raw silk woven into strong fabrics. Chinese silk was prized in many other regions such as India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and the Roman empire. The silk industry was especially important to the economy of China and was important in the trade network of the silk roads. Silk was even used as a material to make paper. In the Han dynasty, silk became more valuable and was even used to pay government officials and to compensate citizens. Silk became a monetary standard in China. Silk was also used to make peace with other tribe. Silk was an important product in Chinese commerce and was crucial as an exported item on the silk roads. The production of silk brought much wealth on China and had a continuing effect on Chinese economy. The silk brought big change into China, which changed over time as it also brought envy