Trade played a critical role in the cultural, artistic and religious exchange in ancient Europe and Asia. The primary center of civilization in Europe, Venice, was at the heart of Europe, and it acted as a link to the Asian antiquity. Beginning in the first century, travelers and merchants crossed the ancient world from Italy in the West to Japan and China in the East. 1 The trade routes were important in the transfer of jewelry, spices, raw material and foodstuffs. Subsequently, some areas had a monopoly of certain items than others. For instance, Asia had an excess supply of silk and spices. The availability of these goods saw the invention of convenient modes of transport like the use of animal’s back and seagoing ships.
Exchange of trade and ideas in the ancient period also saw a growth of cities. The towns were primarily meant to increase options for travelers by providing them with services as well as acting as international marketplaces. For instance, the cities of Palmyra and Petra in the middle of Syrian Desert grew mainly as a result of flourishing trade routes and the increasing merchant caravans. 2 Other than being trade centers, the cities became artistic bases since individuals from different cultural and ethnic background met in them to intermingle.
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Additionally, trade improved communication through the highways that were designed. For instance, languages became clear, and individuals had to enhance their speech for a better understanding of the person they are communicating to. Also, there were new inventions of social customs and religious beliefs, which encouraged people to keep on moving from one place to another. 3 For instance, the sculptural styles of Gandharan and Gaul were influenced by the Hellenistic styles of the Romans.
Influence of Marco Polo
In contributing to trade and ideas, Marco Polo’s journey inspired new relationship between Chinese and the Europeans. He opened the eastern world to the west, which ignited the European interest to the Asian products. 4 When Marco Polo first set off with his father in 1271, he was only 17 years old. He became the first European to reach the Mongol settlement, where he immersed himself in a culture that was so different from what they practiced back home. Subsequently, Polo carried the ideas back to Europe where they had severe economic, political, and social impacts.
Furthermore, Marco Polo opened up key trade routes to the Western world. For instance, Polo made a substantial amount of money from his trade with the Chinese, which he shared with his children and other family members. According to Fenerty, Polo was further exposed to new ideas, lifestyles, invention, and culture. He then brought back all those things to Europe and wrote a book that explained his journey and exposure into which he subjected himself. The different views of lifestyle, governance, education, farming, and much more, which changed how the European system worked.
Marco’s exploration also led to the development of Silk Road that increased more trading partners for the European. The Silk Road was the connection between Asia and Europe through the transportation of goods and trade. 5 The trade partnership gave Europe more economic powers to control the world in general. Moreover, Marco Polo influenced the politics in the Renaissance period through his exploration, which changed the works of other explorers such as Christopher Columbus who discovered America. Generally, Marco Polo took ideas, information, and perspective to Europe, which the Europeans used to improve their government.
Bibliography
Fenerty, J. Marco Polo Trade Influence, 2015.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Trade Routes between Europe and Asia during Antiquity, 2000.
PBS LearningMedia. Marco Polo | PBS World Explorers [Video file], 2018
1 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Trade Routes between Europe and Asia during Antiquity, 2000
2 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Trade Routes between Europe and Asia during Antiquity, 2000
3 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Trade Routes between Europe and Asia during Antiquity, 2000.
4 Fenerty, J. Marco Polo Trade Influence, 2015.
5 PBS LearningMedia. Marco Polo | PBS World Explorers [Video file], 2018
