Alexandria’s Revolutionary Role in North-South Navigation and Trade

Abstract

The establishing of a direct connection in Antiquity between Egypt and India was a difficult and protracted process. Apart from unsubstantiated hypotheses, it went through four major stages:1 – During the third and second millennia B.C. Egypt, directed its marine activities in the south to East Africa, which culminated in the expedition of Queen Hatshepsut to «Punt». 2 – The rise of Arabian kingdoms in south Arabia (Yemen) ca. 1000 B.C., and their caravan trade across the Arabian Peninsula. Due to their unique geographical location, they controlled transit trade between Egypt, India and East Africa. 3 – In the latter part of the 4th century B.C., the global enterprise of Alexander brought about drastic changes. The realization of India’s fabulous commercial possibilities encouraged Alexandrian navigators to increase their profit from the exchange trade with India. 4 – The situation was further upset by the rise of Rome as the dominant power in the Mediterranean in the 2nd century B.C. In response to the new changes and in order to further increase their profit, Alexandrian navigators realized that their only chance lay in by-passing the Arabian ports and in sailing directly across the ocean to India. This was achieved in 118-116 B.C. by discovering the Monsoon wind and their system. Gradually, Alexandrian navigators enjoyed an unrivaled dominance in the Red and Indian seas.