Potential Silk Road Questions

• Analyze continuities and changes in trade networks and cross cultural encounters between 200 CE and 800 CE in one of the following regions.

East AsiaMiddle EastEurope

Potential Silk Road Questions

• Analyze similarities and differences between the response to commerce and cross-cultural interactions in any two of these areas between 400 CE and 900 CE.

Potential Silk Road Questions

• Analyze similarities and differences between the diffusion of Buddhism from its origins to 700 CE and the diffusion of Christianity from its origins to 700 CE. Be sure to discuss how each religion gained followers as it diffused.

• C: The most recent research suggest a serious plague outbreak in China during the early 1300’s. The plague devastated areas impacted by it.

• D shows a Buddhist shrine in Hellenistic, Indian, and Chinese artistic styles. Clothes draped in the Hellenistic style, Indian poses and Chinese facial features.

• c: Archaeologists have found evidence of trade in luxury goods, such as Chinese silks and Roman glass, though there is no evidence of direct political contact between Rome and Han states.

• C is the only statement that is not true of both religions. Buddha presented himself as an enlightened teacher, though later some worshipped him. Christians didn’t universally accept the divinity of Jesus until after his death.

• B: the map shows trade patterns persistent in the Indian Ocean Basin between 600-1450 CE. This trade encouraged the growth of urban centers along the coasts of East Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, and China

• B: knowledge of currents and wind patterns accumulated in both trading regions. Knowledge of Monsoon patters enabled the trade routes in the eastern Indian Ocean to develop in the classical period. Navigational tools spread amongst Arab, Asian, and European societies.

• B: Diffusion of technology and science generally accompanied the growth of Afro-Eurasian trade during this period. Mathematical innovations like zero and the decimal system originated in South Asia and spread to the Middle East where they were adopted and spread to Europe.