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Informationen zum Autor Michael C. Howard is a professor of International Studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. He is editor of the series Studies in the Material Cultures of Southeast Asia and author or editor of more than 30 books. Klappentext While scholars have long documented the migration of people in ancient and medieval times, they have paid less attention to those who traveled across borders with some regularity. This study of early transnational relations explores the routine interaction of people across the boundaries of empires, tribal confederacies, kingdoms, and city-states, paying particular attention to the role of long-distance trade along the Silk Road and maritime trade routes. It examines the obstacles voyagers faced, including limited travel and communication capabilities, relatively poor geographical knowledge, and the dangers of a fragmented and shifting political landscape, and offers profiles of better-known transnational elites such as the Hellenic scholar Herodotus and the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, as well lesser known servants, merchants, and sailors. By revealing the important political, economic, and cultural role cross-border trade and travel played in ancient society, this work demonstrates that transnationalism is not unique to modern times. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here. Inhaltsverzeichnis Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. Basic Features of Transnationalism in the Ancient and Medieval World Societal Types Contexts Motivations and Personnel Transportation and Communication 2. Ancient Empires The Middle East South Asia The Roman Empire East Asia 3. Medieval Empires The Byzantine Empire South Asia The Caliphates The Tang and Song Empires The Mongol Empires The Aztec Empire 4. Polities Along the Major Trade Routes The Yuezhi-Kushan Tamil Kingdoms Malay Kingdoms 5. Long-distance Trade Goods Obsidian Beads Textiles Copper and Bronze Gemstones Incense Tropical Spices Tea 6. Long-distance Traders Phoenicians Greeks Sogdians Trans-Saharan Caravan Traders Vikings Nestorian Christians Radhanites and Other Jewish Traders Marco Polo and the Venetians Gujaratis Ryukyuans Aztec Traders 7. Merchant Communities The Middle East South Asia Melaka Guangzhou Western Europe 8. Cities Mesopotamian Cities Mediterranean Cities South Asian Cities East Asian Cities Southeast Asian Cities New World Cities: Teotihuacán 9. Soldiers Mercenaries in the Ancient Mediterranean The Roman Empire's Army Medieval Mercenaries in Europe Chinese Imperial Armies The Aztec Military 10. Monks and Scholars Transnational Buddhists Hellenic Scholars Transnational Christians Transnational Muslims Notes Bibliography Index ...
