Images

A map showing the Strait of Malacca in Malaysia which links the Indian Ocean (the Andaman Sea) to the South China Sea. The strait was a particularly important maritime route for the Spice Trade from the 15th century and was controlled by...

A map illustrating the Hellenistic World and the successor kingdoms of the Diadochi (Alexander the Great's successors) c. 301 BCE.

Artist's impression of a harbour market in the ancient Mediterranean or the Persian Gulf. Harbours were centers of trade and commerce throughout the ages.

Standard of Legion IX Hispana Punta Umbría, a Roman army reeanctor group.

A Japanese painted screen by Kanō Naizen showing a Portuguese carrack ship and traders. The Portuguese controlled the trading port of Nagasaki from c. 1571 to 1639. (Kobe City Museum, Japan)

A detail of a painted screen showing the Japanese view of Portuguese traders. The Portuguese controlled the trading port of Nagasaki from c. 1571 to 1639.

A detail from a Japanese painted screen showing a Portuguese carrack at the port of Nagasaki, a Portuguese trading post from c. 1571 to 1639. Screen painted by Kanō Naizen. (Kobe City Museum, Japan)

Ceremonial helmet of a Scythian ruler. 4th century BCE. Found in 1988 near Zrubne village, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine. Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine, Kyiv.

View of the wall around old Gyantse from the fort. Gyantse, Tibet, 2010.

Alexandra David-Néel and Aphur Yongden in Lhasa, 1924.