Swahili Coast
Where? The whole east coast of Africa, all the way from Somalia up north to Mozambique down south.
Why? A collection of powerful city-states who got rich bringing gold from inland empires and sailing their nimble dhows into maritime Silk Road fame.
Choose the Swahili if you’re interested in learning more about… a vital part of pre-colonial African history, a unique culture based on being a melting pot of African, Arab, Persian, and later European influences, a unique style of architecture, insights into navigation techniques and shipbuilding...
Where? The Middle East, Baghdad
Why? The Abbasids were fascinating polymaths and crazy high-tech for their time! In fact, we only know as much as we do about the ancient Greeks and Romans because medieval Muslim scholars collected, translated, and built upon their works.
Choose the Abbasids if you’re interested in learning more about… a perfectly circular city, a Temple of Wisdom, advances in medicine and science. Lots of visual sources available here!
The Sogdians
Where? Central Asia, around present-day Uzbekistan and Tajikstan
Why? The influencers of the Silk Road, they were its most skillful traders, linking China with the Middle East and Russia.
Choose the Sogdians if you’re interested in learning more about… economic and cultural exchanges, a surprising open-mindedness in adopting new religions, vibrant frescoes and intricate textiles, male fashion (not so much info on the ladies)...
Where? Southern India
Why? Led by a line of kings who were both poets and warriors, Vijayanagara grew rich on trade + conquest
Choose Vijayanagara if you’re interested in learning more about… interesting models of Kingship, with primary sources from poet-Kings reflecting on their rule, strategy, and legacy; rich and well-planned cities; music; primary source accounts of warfare; a culture that encouraged and managed immigration and ethnic diversity well... until things fell apart...
The Malacca Sultanate
Where? Just up the coast from us, in Melaka, Malaysia.
Why? A powerful maritime empire and a pivotal player in some of the later Indian Ocean trade dynamics.
Choose Vijayanagara if you’re interested in learning more about… a melting pot of cultures, interactions with new European colonial powers like the Portuguese, the spread of Islam...
Where? China
Why? A golden age of Chinese arts and culture!
Choose the Tang if you’re interested in learning more about… court intrigue, a golden age of art, and arguably the best shipwreck in the world (since it’s the one we can go see!)… the Tang has it all.