This research explores a comparative analysis of the Ancient and Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World. The chronological framework of this work spans from approximately 3000 BC to 1500 AD. This examination can shed light on the experiences of seafaring communities and interpretations surrounding their development alongside the thrill of increased connectivity and maritime exploration. Facilitated trade growth has been linked to political stability and empire expansion, as demonstrated by the Greeks and Romans. Maritime innovations and the development of writing and currency drove the exchanging of goods. Ancient trade, characterized by sophisticated boatbuilding utilizing sewn boats and galleys to support a thriving slave trade, faced the threat of piracy on the open sea. The Medieval period demonstrated the organization of merchant colonies, credit systems, and legal frameworks such as feudal laws. Commercial expansion resulted from the development of coinage and banking. The advancement of maritime technology saw improved ship designs and sails, notably the lateen sail, enabling longer voyages and a stronger sense of navigation. Maritime law, taxation, and the rise of merchant communities played crucial roles in sustaining trade networks. These periods are interconnected through the sea’s vital role in the advancement of power, wealth, and cultural exchange, with trade routes and craft evolving in response to ever changing environmental, social, and political shifts.
| Published in | International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 13, Issue 1) |
| DOI | 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19 |
| Page(s) | 132-140 |
| Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Silk Road, Currency, Piracy, Warfare, Coinage, Tariffs, Merchant Colonies, Credit Systems, Maritime Innovations, Maritime Strategy
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APA Style
Elema, A. (2025). From Ancient to Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World: Trading Patterns & Dynamics. International Journal of Archaeology, 13(1), 132-140. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19
ACS Style
Elema, A. From Ancient to Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World: Trading Patterns & Dynamics. Int. J. Archaeol. 2025, 13(1), 132-140. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19
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Download@article{10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19,
author = {Anika Elema},
title = {From Ancient to Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World: Trading Patterns & Dynamics
},
journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {132-140},
doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19},
url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19},
eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20251301.19},
abstract = {This research explores a comparative analysis of the Ancient and Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World. The chronological framework of this work spans from approximately 3000 BC to 1500 AD. This examination can shed light on the experiences of seafaring communities and interpretations surrounding their development alongside the thrill of increased connectivity and maritime exploration. Facilitated trade growth has been linked to political stability and empire expansion, as demonstrated by the Greeks and Romans. Maritime innovations and the development of writing and currency drove the exchanging of goods. Ancient trade, characterized by sophisticated boatbuilding utilizing sewn boats and galleys to support a thriving slave trade, faced the threat of piracy on the open sea. The Medieval period demonstrated the organization of merchant colonies, credit systems, and legal frameworks such as feudal laws. Commercial expansion resulted from the development of coinage and banking. The advancement of maritime technology saw improved ship designs and sails, notably the lateen sail, enabling longer voyages and a stronger sense of navigation. Maritime law, taxation, and the rise of merchant communities played crucial roles in sustaining trade networks. These periods are interconnected through the sea’s vital role in the advancement of power, wealth, and cultural exchange, with trade routes and craft evolving in response to ever changing environmental, social, and political shifts.
},
year = {2025}
}
TY - JOUR T1 - From Ancient to Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World: Trading Patterns & Dynamics AU - Anika Elema Y1 - 2025/06/30 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19 DO - 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19 T2 - International Journal of Archaeology JF - International Journal of Archaeology JO - International Journal of Archaeology SP - 132 EP - 140 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2330-7595 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.19 AB - This research explores a comparative analysis of the Ancient and Medieval Periods of the Mediterranean World. The chronological framework of this work spans from approximately 3000 BC to 1500 AD. This examination can shed light on the experiences of seafaring communities and interpretations surrounding their development alongside the thrill of increased connectivity and maritime exploration. Facilitated trade growth has been linked to political stability and empire expansion, as demonstrated by the Greeks and Romans. Maritime innovations and the development of writing and currency drove the exchanging of goods. Ancient trade, characterized by sophisticated boatbuilding utilizing sewn boats and galleys to support a thriving slave trade, faced the threat of piracy on the open sea. The Medieval period demonstrated the organization of merchant colonies, credit systems, and legal frameworks such as feudal laws. Commercial expansion resulted from the development of coinage and banking. The advancement of maritime technology saw improved ship designs and sails, notably the lateen sail, enabling longer voyages and a stronger sense of navigation. Maritime law, taxation, and the rise of merchant communities played crucial roles in sustaining trade networks. These periods are interconnected through the sea’s vital role in the advancement of power, wealth, and cultural exchange, with trade routes and craft evolving in response to ever changing environmental, social, and political shifts. VL - 13 IS - 1 ER -
Global Maritime Archaeology, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
