Trade Case Study

Alexandria was the main trade hub for ancient Egypt. They were located next to the Mediterranean Sea, which allowed them to trade with civilizations from much further away. The port at Alexandria had the capacity to dock 1200 ships. They supported the trade of a plethora of different goods. These goods were used to help the city and empire prosper.

Egyptian glass -Used primarily for beads in jewelry

Papyrus -Used for keeping records in the form of scrolls

Textiles -Used for clothes, ropes

Cosmetics -Used for self beautification

copper

gold

silver

bronze

Metals
-Used for art, jewelry, and containers

emmer wheat

fava beans

lentils

onions

Food
-Used for eating, and was also collected as a tax

Spices -Alexandria was the dominant trading center for spices from India

Like any other trade center, ideas were exchanged as much as any goods. The famous Library of Alexandria was home to around 700,000 volumes. This was only a small part of the bigger Museum, which was used as a research institution for astronomy, anatomy, and even zoology. Knowledge grew and flourished in this city.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria

One of the tallest man-made structures at that time, the Lighthouse was capable of being built thanks to the knowledge spread by different peoples in Alexandria.

Museum of Alexandria

Medicine advanced quickly in Alexandria because it was legal to work on cadavers in Egypt to learn about anatomy. These resources were available in the Museum.