HIST 101 Capstone Project by Tom Liu

CA. 1298 Travels: Description of the World

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

Marco Polo's journey to Asia began around 1271 and would continue until 1295. This would be known throughout history as one of the earliest examples of long-distance travel and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. Polo would spent nearly two decades in Asia, and he would capture his knowledge and experiences through The Description of the world to serve as one of the earliest European accounts of the medieval period.

1046 B.C.E. The Mandate of Heaven

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Mandate of Heaven is a political document that was written during the Zhou Dynasty in C. 1046, outlining the role of the rulers within Chinese society. Heaven is regarded as a spiritual force, which grants the rights for individuals to rule due to their divine nature. Only the virtuous would possess the talent and merit to be able to do so, highlighting their morality. This would lead to the political organization within China to be organized for over two millennia.

1754 B.C.E. The Code of Hammurabi

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Code of Hammurabi which was written around 1754 BCE remains one of the most complete written legal codes in history. The Babylonian Empire within ancient Mesopotamia would become unified, and these rules of law would be inscribed within large stone stele. The public would be able to view these principles so that they would understand systems of governance and policies.

CA. 1250 On the Arab People of Quanzhou

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

During the Tang (618-907 CE) and Song Dynasties (960-1279 CE), the Chinese port city of Quanzhou became a hub for maritime trade. Arabic and Persian merchants would often do their businesses here, leading to interactions with the Chinese. This would result in the connection of China with the Islamic regions and South Asia, leading to cultural and economic exchange.

1st Century C.E. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea is a maritime guide that was written in the 1st century CE. The author was a Greek-speaking Egyptian who remained anonymous, they were likely a merchant or sailor. The document highlights the different navigation routes and trading ports that would be near the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and India.

The Secwépemc People

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Secwépemc are an Indigenous nation whose traditional territories can be found in British Columbia. This source draws on the knowledge of the oral traditions that have been passed down from generations, in order to maintain Indigenous knowledge.

270 CE Aksumite Coins

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Kingdom of Aksum, which is located in what is now Ethiopia became a significant trading power within the 1st to 7th centuries CE. Under King Ezana's rule, the African kingdom would become one of the first few to mint their own coins. These coins would then be used for trade and commerce with the Roman Empire and India.

1541 Codez Mendoza

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 01:35:30 UTC

The Codex Mendoza in 1541 CE, after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire (which fell in 1521). Commissioned by Antonio de Mendoza who was the first viceroy of New Spain, the codex would inform the Spanish elites about the cultures of the Aztec people. There would be a combination of graphics that were created by Indigenous artists and scribes with Spanish verbiage.

CA. 1298 Travels: Description of the World

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:06:04 UTC

Within the writing, Polo describes many different cities, their customs and the religions that the people of Asia practiced. The European connection of Mongol rule can be seen, as well as the European intellectual curiosities towards the rest of the world. Polo writes extensively about the Silk Road, which became a network for the exchange of goods, ideas and technologies. This document is significant for contributing to European knowledge on geography, trade and culture. This would also inspire many other explorers from Europe to engage in similar ventures in the future.

1045 B.C.E. The Mandate of Heaven

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:12:15 UTC

Political legitimacy could be seen as being conditional on the rule that the emperors would provide. Through the mandate, the ordains surrounding maritime travel would be provisioned. It was the belief that Chinese glory could be extended through seafaring efforts, and this would result in China in engaging the rest of the world in global trade. The significance for global history can be seen in the deviation from traditional systems of monarchy, and ruling through virtue.

1754 B.C.E. The Code of Hammurabi

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:12:33 UTC

There are 282 laws in total that detail different outcomes for theft, agriculture, marriage, slavery and trade. There would be significant knowledge gained about how Babylonian society operated, and the existence of social hierarchies. The punishments and policies would often describe the economic outcomes which would require the use of currencies to settle. This would lead to how there was a connection to how laws were tied to monetary value. This would not only inform later systems of laws, but the notion of fair compensation.

CA. 1250 On the Arab People of Quanzhou

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:14:12 UTC

Written around 1225 CE Zhao Rugua, the text highlights the customs, dress and religious beliefs of Arab merchants who resided in Quanzhou. It was written from a place of admiration, and highlights the Chinese viewed foreign communities. This is connected to the globalization of trade, where these merchants were regarded as important contributors to the economy. The Chinese port city would become a bustling area for migration and religious understanding. This is related to the development of maritime connections as a result of globalization and trade.

1st Century C.E. The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:14:26 UTC

Highlighting the different trade routes and goods being exchanged, the port cities are also demonstrated with the customs of each region. The worldview of merchants can be seen, as they would have to understand the economic value of goods and the different cultural practices available. The connection to trade can be seen in the seafaring technology being developed, and how merchants from different parts of the world were able to interact with one another. This is important for understand the different kinds of transoceanic exchange that was occurring within the Indian Ocean.

The Secwépemc People

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:14:37 UTC

The stories featured within the text helps highlight the kinds of laws and values of the Indigenous peoples. Oral traditions are combined with research and scholarship, improving the teachings and lessons from each generation. Knowledge systems have shown significant resilience during times of colonialism and trade. The lands and identity of the Indigenous peoples can be seen as a form of scholarship to be passed on for future generations.

270 CE Aksumite Coins

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:14:44 UTC

These coins were produced from gold, silver and bronze. There would also be inscriptions of Greek alongside depictions of kings and weapons. There would also be depiction of religious motifs such as Christian crosses due to a conversion to Christianity. Despite these coins primarily being used within economic systems, they would also demonstrate the political authority and cultural exchange that has occured. The kinds of global trade and influences by the various trading partners has resulted in a globalized connection.

1541 Codez Mendoza

tomliustudent — 2025-04-22 02:14:52 UTC

There are over 70 folios with images and text commentary, one section would describe the lives of Aztec rulers and the different kinds practices that would be engaged on a daily basis. This would help the reader see the kinds of economic systems that were present, as well as how politics were organized. This would help motivate sentiments of Spanish imperialism, as there would be a desire to appropriate the wealth that was present in the region. Using Indigenous scribes and artists also highlights the connection between globalized knowledge on Aztec culture.