Page 75 - Introduction to Tourism

middlemen for their neighbors, they purveyed

raw materials and also finished goods, such as

linen and papyrus from Egypt, ivory and gold

from Nubia, grain and copper from Sardinia, olive

oil and wine from Sicily, cedar timbers from their

homeland, and perfume and spices from the
East. Presumably they also occasionally carried

a few passengers. They were the first creators of
a maritime empire.

The Greeks followed the Phoenicians in
becoming great sea traders. Improved ships

accelerated a flourishing Mediterranean trade.

Merchant ships also carried paying passengers

(although Noah with his ark probably deserves

credit for being the first cruise operator, even

though his passengers were primarily animals).

Unlike Noah ’ s passengers, those sailing on

Greek ships had to bring their own servants,

food, and wine.

Widely varying accommodations aboard, stormy

seas, and pirate attacks were worrisome realities.

Chinese

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