Ayed Alqahtani Writing 135 Professor Bishop May 1, 2014 Trade in Ancient Greece Trade was an instrument largely used in the establishment of Greece as a market economy. Trade followed Greek colonization, territorial expansion, population booms, and innovations in the transport of goods. Greece was centrally located as a trading capital in the Mediterranean. Near and far, countries traded with Greece both by land and sea including Egypt, Asia Minor, Italy, North Africa, South France, and Spain as well as the various islands in the area. Greece was a big player in Mediterranean trade because they had ships that were specially designed for trade by sea. Greece had many exports as well as imports which supported the flourishing economy. Imported items often included wheat, grain, slaves, papyrus, spices, textiles, and fish; on the other hand, items often exported included wine, olives, olive oil, pottery and bronze work, hides, and ruddle, a necessary component used in the waterproofing of ships. Trade was not heavily regulated; however, the regulation of grain was separate and was heavily regulated by grain supervisors in the markets. Each market had their own authority, however, grain was so important that the grain supervisors would monitor the price and quantity of grain that was being purchased, sold, and transported. There were taxes, transport charges, and levies on imports and exports for all ships that were all made payable to Athens which was an extra precautionary measure to protect trade in the Mediterranean. Trade done by sea was popular because of the many islands in the area. To ensure the safe transport of goods there were various measures, loans, and even a special court to govern trade by sea. Maritime loans helped traders pay for their shipments beforehand in order to get the ship to its destination. If the ship failed to reach their destination safely the loan did not have to be repaid. To help the lenders in this situation, there were established interest rates and the ship was used as the security of the loan much like homes and cars are held liable today. As a result of these authorities and regulations there was a maritime court that was established in order to fight, appeal, and carryout the legal proceedings associated with trade in the Mediterranean. Trade influenced many things in Greece one of which was their art. The imports and exported materials were combined and used to make things such as pottery and various metal works, gem cutting, and stonework. The pottery that was created by the Greeks often held their exports such as wine and olive oil, which were then traded for grain. These vases are considered valuable artifacts now. Trade began after the rule of Alexander the Great and lasted for a long time until the decline of the Greek city-states in the late classical period when international trade moved else. Though these trading ports till existed for much time afterwards, they were not as powerful after trade ...

1. Ayed Alqahtani
Writing 135
Professor Bishop
May 1, 2014
Trade in Ancient Greece
Trade was an instrument largely used in the establishment of
Greece as a market economy. Trade followed Greek
colonization, territorial expansion, population booms, and
innovations in the transport of goods. Greece was centrally
located as a trading capital in the Mediterranean. Near and far,
countries traded with Greece both by land and sea including
Egypt, Asia Minor, Italy, North Africa, South France, and Spain
as well as the various islands in the area. Greece was a big
player in Mediterranean trade because they had ships that were
specially designed for trade by sea.
Greece had many exports as well as imports which supported
the flourishing economy. Imported items often included wheat,
grain, slaves, papyrus, spices, textiles, and fish; on the other
hand, items often exported included wine, olives, olive oil,
pottery and bronze work, hides, and ruddle, a necessary
component used in the waterproofing of ships. Trade was not
heavily regulated; however, the regulation of grain was separate
and was heavily regulated by grain supervisors in the markets.
Each market had their own authority, however, grain was so
important that the grain supervisors would monitor the price and
quantity of grain that was being purchased, sold, and
transported. There were taxes, transport charges, and levies on
imports and exports for all ships that were all made payable to
Athens which was an extra precautionary measure to protect
trade in the Mediterranean.
Trade done by sea was popular because of the many islands in
the area. To ensure the safe transport of goods there were
various measures, loans, and even a special court to govern
trade by sea. Maritime loans helped traders pay for their

2. shipments beforehand in order to get the ship to its destination.
If the ship failed to reach their destination safely the loan did
not have to be repaid. To help the lenders in this situation, there
were established interest rates and the ship was used as the
security of the loan much like homes and cars are held liable
today. As a result of these authorities and regulations there was
a maritime court that was established in order to fight, appeal,
and carryout the legal proceedings associated with trade in the
Mediterranean.
Trade influenced many things in Greece one of which was their
art. The imports and exported materials were combined and used
to make things such as pottery and various metal works, gem
cutting, and stonework. The pottery that was created by the
Greeks often held their exports such as wine and olive oil,
which were then traded for grain. These vases are considered
valuable artifacts now. Trade began after the rule of Alexander
the Great and lasted for a long time until the decline of the
Greek city-states in the late classical period when international
trade moved else. Though these trading ports till existed for
much time afterwards, they were not as powerful after trade
moved internationally.
Hemingway, Colette and Seán Hemingway. "Ancient Greek
Colonization and Trade and their Influence on Greek Art". In
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/angk/hd_angk.htm (July
2007)
Cartwright, M. (2012, January 18). Trade in Ancient Greece.
Retrieved April 30, 2014, from
http://www.ancient.eu.com/article/115/