The Expanded Trade Networks

With a surplus of goods to trade and freed up workers from increased yields, trade networks became an integral part of the further development of civilization in Mesopotamia. Traders were necessary for trade both in and around Mesopotamia. Cities such as Uruk had satellite villages that traders from the cities would go to, as the satellites, "all provided food for those in the city, whether grain, fish, or meat. Each settlement depended on others for survival" (Fagan 2001: 398). These trade routes helped maintain what was essential for a well-balanced existence. Trade expanded well beyond the satellites though, as, "artifacts and artistic styles typical of Uruk and also Susa have come from the Nile Delta during the centuries when long-distance caravan trade was expanding rapidly in Egypt and across Sinai" (Fagan 2001: 400). Like irrigation, the more trading that was done the more there was a need for social leadership to have an effective economy.

While food and dry goods were the main reason for the trade routes, ideas were also free to spread. Mesopotamia was home to inventions such as the wheel, and the trade routes were essential to the spread of revolutionizing ideas such as this (Fagan 2001: 375). The spread of ideas, such as the wheel or new farming techniques amongst other things, could help further advance the evolving civilization of Mesopotamia.



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