Cities in which country or region? There are hundreds or even thousands of cities which could reasonably be called ancient, and you can bet that most of them were on trade routes. Cities existed then, and still mostly do now, because they were centers for trade.
Go pick any two old cities reasonably near each other, you can be sure they had a trade route between them (unless they had some barrier like impassible mountains in between).
People built their cities near the trade routes to have an easier trading system. It prevented people from walking very far to get to the trade route.
It spread up from India along trade routes.
It started around the 1430s and ended in the late 1800s.West Africa was a part of a major trading network long before the Europeans.From ancient times there were trade routes across the Sahara linking the north and west of the African continent. Large cities developed along the Saharan trade routes. The trade lead to the growth of great empires in the region.
Caravanserais were roadside inns that provided shelter, food, and facilities for merchants and travelers along ancient trade routes. They played a crucial role in facilitating trade by offering a safe place for rest and exchange of goods, leading to increased commerce and cultural exchange between different regions.
Thousands of years. The ancient Greeks traded along the coastlines and all the ancient societies traded with each other overland and by sea routes.
Mecca and medina were such oasis cities that are the nearest to the trade routes.
The environment influenced the growth of cities by providing access to resources like water, fertile land, and natural barriers for defense. Trade routes developed along rivers, coasts, and mountain passes where transportation was easier and resources could be exchanged. Desirable environmental factors led to the location and expansion of cities, which in turn stimulated the development of trade routes.
Many European cities along historical trade routes share geographical characteristics such as strategic locations at river confluences or coastal areas that facilitate maritime trade. They often sit at crossroads of land routes, making them accessible for merchants and travelers. Additionally, these cities typically have fertile land nearby, supporting agriculture, which further aids in trade and commerce. Their proximity to natural resources and navigable waterways also enhances their economic significance throughout history.
The Indus Valley Civilization had cities strategically located along major trade routes and near water sources for irrigation. The Mayan civilization built cities in dense rainforests for protection and access to resources. The ancient Greek city-states were often located near coastlines for trade and defense.
There was no set size of an ancient Roman city, just as there is no set size of a city in the present day. Rome itself had a population of over a million people and Pompeii had about 20,000 people. There were all sizes of cities between these two numbers, the larger cities generally being seaports or along trade routes.
The routes from Chang'an to Alexandria are commonly referred to as part of the Silk Road. This ancient network of trade routes facilitated not only the exchange of goods, such as silk and spices, but also the transfer of ideas and culture between the East and West. The journey involved various paths, including overland and maritime routes, connecting key cities along the way.
In Grand Ages: Rome, once you have established trade routes, you can engage in trade by sending your trade caravans to specific cities along those routes. Select the caravan, choose the goods you want to trade, and then set the destination city. The trade will automatically occur as long as there’s a demand for the goods in the destination city and the route is safe from threats. Monitor your trade balance and adjust your routes as necessary to maximize profit.