It was no doubt sometimes brought to them by subject nations as tribute; but this source of supply is not sufficient to account, at once, for the consumption in Assyria itself, and for the exports from Assyria to foreign countries.

A regular trade for ivory seems to have been carried on from very early times between India and Dedan (Bahrein, ?) in the Persian Gulf.

The travelling companies of the Dedanim, who conveyed this precious merchandise from their own country to Phoenicia, passed probably along the course of the Euphrates, and left a portion of their wares in the marts upon that stream, which may have been thence conveyed to the great Assyrian cities.

Or the same people may have traded directly with Assyria by the route of the Tigris.

Again, it is quite conceivable--indeed, it is probable--that there was a land traffic between Assyria and Western India by the way of Cabal, Herat, the Caspian Gates, and Media.