Act - Greek Trading (source Analysis Deduction)

Greek trading

SOURCE ANALYSIS TASK • Pay attention to the following images (maps, photos, drawings, etc.) • For each source answer the following questions: 1. Is it a primary or secondary source? 2. What can you see in the source? 3. What can you learn from the source about Greece/Greek society?

Greece is surrounded on the three sides by seas, so water travel was very important. The Greeks used the seas like highways and became skilled sailors and shipbuilders. Fishing was the major source of food.

Greece has rocky land that made farming difficult. To increase their farmland, ancient Greeks established colonies. They used trade to obtain the natural resources they lacked.

Greeks city-states traded with each other and with other regions around the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Egypt and Italy were two of Greece's trade partners.

As Greeks traded with distant cities and colonies, their region of influence spread. For example, Greek trade spread Grecian art, writing, and government around the Mediterranean.

The Greeks produced olive oil, wool and fine pottery, all of which they traded. In return, the Greeks bought resources they lacked such as grain and timber. They also traded for animal hides, slaves and flax for making linen.

Greece had a very rich tradition in maritime trade. A major innovation in transportation was the trireme ship. The trireme enabled the Greeks to become the naval power of the world and make the Mediterranean safe for their shipping.

The trireme was a class of warship used by the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean. Its name derives from its rows of oars on each side, manned with man per oar. It was a very agile and fast warship.

In the beginning the cargo ships were small, tubby crafts that were used for coasting. As the years passed and the technology became more advanced, the cargo ships became powerful vessels that were much faster and were built to carry heavier loads for longer voyages. 

One thing that helped trading grow in the ancient Greek world was the laws that were put in place regarding it. The state looked after the safety of the merchants in the harbors and the markets.

The state charged duties on imports and exports to make money. This  state helped the Greek economy and improved commerce.  In this way, the state helped improve trade, while trade helped to improve the state and the lives of the people that lived in Greece.