Levantine Trade explores how the Levant, encompassing modern-day Israel, Lebanon, and surrounding areas, served as a crucial bridge in global trade networks. The book examines the region's economic history, highlighting its role in connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe for millennia. It delves into the evolution of Levantine trade routes, showcasing how this relatively small geographical area became a linchpin in global economics. For example, the movement of spices, textiles, and precious metals through the Levant significantly impacted regional economies. The book analyzes the economic structures that supported this trade, from the Phoenicians to the Ottomans, and their impact on the region and the wider world. It argues the Levant's influence stemmed from its adaptable economic institutions, not solely its geographical position. By using archaeological findings, ancient texts, and recently translated Ottoman customs records, the book integrates economic analysis with historical narrative. It begins by introducing the region's geography and progresses through key commodities, trading powers, and financial systems, culminating in an analysis of how its decline shifted global economic power. This approach offers a unique perspective, moving beyond traditional political or military histories to focus on economic exchange and cultural interaction.
