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Beep!! We have arrived at ancient Greece. Our first tour is on its sea trade.

WELCOME TO ANCIENT GREEK TRADE !!!

                       Greece has a very rich tradition in maritime trade.  The introduction of trade into the Greek culture was one of the most defining points in the history of ancient Greece. Simple transactions set the stage for larger scale trade to come.  As trade the Greek city states (especially Athens) began to export many goods, including beautiful decorative items , and ships.

               The   most common ship in ancient Greece was the cargo ship ,only second to the Greek warship.  These cargo ships were used to transport goods which made ancient Greece prosperous. 

                 Cargo ships were also made of wood and averaged about 150 tons around 400 BC. These ships used sails instead of oarsmen. Later, in 240 BC, boats were weighing 350 to 500 tons. Ships began adding sails with the increase in size. Two to three masts were common. Some cargo ships were called trading ships or haulers. These ships had very deep hulls and broad beams, which helped them sail close to the wind. Haulers were usually around 60 feet long. These ships traveled at an average speed of 5 knots.

                  As trading grew, the Greeks reached markets all over the Mediterranean as well as in the far east,  Egypt, and Lydia.  They traded with many different kinds of people, which expanded their imports to new levels.  Everything that the Greeks needed was in their reach and their economy was soaring.
   

       Their were two types of traditional naval architecture, the cargo ship being one, and the battle ship being the other.  As shipping developed, and trade grew, the cargo boats changed and became more efficient.  

                       In the beginning the cargo ships were small, tubby crafts that were used for coasting.  As the years passed and the technology became more advanced, the cargo ships became powerful vessels that were much faster and were built to carry heavier loads for longer voyages.  The were also built with a huge spread of canvas over the deck to protect the goods they carried and the merchants who traveled on the boats.

                One thing that helped trading grow in the ancient Greek world was the laws that were put in place regarding it.  The state looked after the safety of the merchants in the harbors and the markets.  No matter where a merchant was from, he was safe in both the market and the harbor.  In return, the state charged duties on imports and exports to make money.  This  state helped the Greek economy and improved commerce.  In this way, the state helped improve trade, while trade helped to improve the state and the lives of the people that lived in Greece.

And So due to trade revenues and other minor factors  Greece became a very prosperous country and one of the world leaders in trade. 
   

                              Our Next Stop Will Be The Greek Navy.