Beyond Price: Pearls and Pearl-fishing : Origins to the Age of Discoveries

R. A. Donkin

Jan 1998 · American Philosophical Society

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Man has been intrigued by the origin of pearls, sensitive to their beauty, and convinced of their medicinal value for at least 5 cent. A mixture of folklore and observation preceded the earliest scientific inquiries. Fishing and trade commenced in S. Asia, between India and Sri Lanka and around the Persian Gulf. In W. and Central Europe, Inner Asia and China, and N. Amer. Freshwater pearls were probably known and treasured before those of marine origin. A refined nomenclature points to a long familiarity with etymologically related words for 'pearl'. Pearls were prominent among the luxury products of world trade and were high among the objectives of expeditions to the eastern and western Tropics. Illustrations.

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The nucleus of the Achaemenid empire (538—331 BC), the kingdom of Persia (principalities of Anshan and Persia), lay to the north and east of the head of the Persian Gulf (Map 12). Three-quarters ot a century ot extraordinary expansion commenced under Cyrus who annexed, first, western Elam (556 BC), then the Median empire (549 BC), Assyria (548-547 BC), Lydia (546 BC) and, finally, the Neo-Babylonian empire (539-8358 BC). Cambyses II added Egypt, Cyrene and Cyprus (525 BC). Darius I (521-486 BC) advanced the eastern frontier from the Oxus and Jaxartes to the Indus (ca. 520 BC), and his son, Xerxes I (486-465 BC), occupied Macedonia and Thessaly. Athens fell in 480 BC. For the first time, all the most ancient centers of civilization in the Old World (except China) were brought under the nominal control of a single power. P.50 ************ Alexander and Porus meet each other near the river Hydaspes. P.52*****************map of iran achaemenid P.45*************