Ancient and medieval trade networks were astonishingly sophisticated and organized. Imagine exporting goods to Rome from India in antiquity—organizing networks and mechanisms to ensure payments, collect taxes and tariffs, protect against brigands, and facilitate movement across hostile kingdoms! Yet all was done on a grand scale without the aid of any of the modern tools that we use today to facilitate world trade. New scholarship reveals how civilizations were transformed through trading relationships, as exchange of goods brought an intense exchange of ideas—scientific, cultural and religious. These exchanges shaped the world, from the time of Mesopotamian empires into the time of Augustus in Rome. This seminar examines exchanges that India had with the rest of the world, both East and West, over a period of roughly 1500 years, starting from the time of Alexander. Over six sessions, we will cover:

• The chronology, geography and the players

• Indo-Greek and Indo-Roman trade

• Silk routes, China trade and spread of Buddhism

• India and Persian and Arabian exchanges

• India and Southeast Asia—trade and religion

• Exchange of major scientific and cultural ideas

Our instructor is a retired international business executive, native of India, and popular adult education presenter. 6 Classes. Limit 25.

Anand Kruttiventi
1:00—3:00 P.M. Tuesday, Starts Sept. 16
Westover Hills Church of Christ, Room 201
8332 Mesa Drive (78759)