Trade Dynamics in the Indian Ocean

The video explores the historical and economic significance of the East African coast, highlighting its accessibility from both the interior and the sea. It discusses key historical sources like the Periplus and Ptolemy's Geography, and archaeological evidence that supports these accounts. The economy was primarily based on agriculture and fishing, with trade playing a crucial role. The video also examines the trade dynamics between East Africa, India, and the Roman Empire, emphasizing the strategic importance of the region in ancient trade networks.

What was one of the key characteristics of the East African coast that facilitated trade?

• Its isolation from other regions

• Its accessibility from the interior and the sea

• Its mountainous terrain

• Its dense forests

Which historical source is considered the best eyewitness account of the East African coast?

• Periplus of the Erythraean Sea

• Ptolemy's Geography

• Strabo's Geography

• Christian Topography by Cosmas Indicopleustes

What was the primary economic activity of the coastal people according to the Periplus?

• Mining

• Textile production

• Shipbuilding

• Fishing

Which group is believed to have rapidly infiltrated the East African coast with iron usage?

• The Greeks

• The Arabs

• The Bantu-speaking people

• The Romans

Which region was strategically important for connecting trade between forest regions and the Mediterranean?

• The southwestern forest region

• The desert region

• The southeastern forest region

• The coastal region

What was the Roman Empire's initial trade policy in the Indian Ocean?

• To establish a monopoly over African ivory

• To break the Arabian monopoly on trade with India

• To focus on trade with China

• To avoid trade with the Indian subcontinent

Who were the middlemen in the trade between India and Egypt according to historians?

• The Greeks

• The Romans

• The Arabs

• The Persians

What was the impact of the fall of the Western Roman Empire on Indian Ocean trade?

• It resulted in the rise of new trade routes

• It increased the demand for luxury goods

• It led to a decline in the need for luxury goods

• It had no impact on trade

What delayed the exploitation of African ivory resources according to the transcript?

• The self-sufficiency of the Indian subcontinent

• The lack of demand for ivory

• The abundance of ivory in China

• The high cost of ivory

Which empire's decline led to changes in the trade dynamics of the Indian Ocean?

• The Egyptian Empire

• The Persian Empire

• The Roman Empire

• The Greek Empire