Byzantine Empire
Characterized by the existence of their efficient economy, the Byzantine empire is regarded as one
of the most successful imperiums to thrive on the face of the earth. With countless factors
contributing to their prosperity, the fundamental cause for their success was the amount of wealth
they possessed throughout their reign. Compared to western culture, the Byzantines were
unsurpassed, possessing a large amount of visible wealth. The lively markets and active traders were
able to develop the economy as a whole. Metropolises such as Constantinople and Thessalonica
were able to attract foreigners, who introduced new ideas, traditions, and materials into the empire.
This exchange was primarily made through local, regional, and international ... Show more content
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The system was categorized into three forms of trade, local, regional, and intercultural trade. Each
of them having specialized merchants, who were accustomed to the goods and the environment of
the market. Defined by the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library, local trade is a "one–day transit time,
or within a radius of less than about 50 Kilometers by land or the distance of one day's sailing."
Merchants who specialized in local trade were exchanging low–cost goods that customarily were
self–produced. Linen, woven cloth, grains, and ceramics were commonly traded items on these
routes. Local trade was able to increase the stature of proletariats by providing wealth and materials
to the local population. Moreover, transactions made "below ten days' travel is the regional level.
Regional travel also involves professional traders, whereas local trade is still partly or mostly in the
hands of the local producers themselves." Comparable to local trade; Regional trade carried
everyday constituintes and nourishments, but it also handled raw materials such as iron, wood, and
charcoal. Beyond this boundary, intercultural trade, "connects two different regions that each have a
radius of 100 to 300 kilometers," allowing individuals with different backgrounds to interact,with
the interaction came the exchange of intellectual ideas and traditions. As cultural exchange took
place across the
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