The trading route most likely happen by ships through the Mediterranean Sea.
The only option besde that would be by land. But the distance required to do by land is further than those the sea and it has to pass the territory of Greece and Turkey, which will guarantee additional toll payment and reduce the traders' profit.
As the geology on an expedition to a newly discovered, earthlike planet,to located the first permanent settlement in order to avoid an earthquake zone, you considering avoiding a location with: a. a young mountain range along a continental coast.
hope this help
