The Silk RoadThe most important trade network in human history?

Cultural Assimilation

“I feel blessed that the Silk Road produced such a fantastic mix of cultures—a beautiful gift to humankind.” – BRIGHT SHENG

Key Goals and Objectives

In what ways was trade significant?How did it generate change within the societies that it connected?How did trade shape the structure of societies?What role should the state play in regulating trade?

Trade Networks and the Hellenistic Era

Tempo of trade increased dramaticallyRisks of travel diminish thanks to road construction and other public works. Large imperial states provided significantly more protection than regional environments during the Classical Age.

Trade Networks

Alexander of Macedon had the influence of facilitating a dramatic rise in commercial activity.Rulers throughout the world for their own benefit promoted trade—Seleucids as an example.

Maintaining TradeNecessary to oust piratesMaintain relationships with other statesPublic works to promote trade (Pharos of Alexandria)Understanding wind patterns-Ptolemaic and the Monsoons

What was traded?

Spices from the Indian worldGemstones and precious metals from IndiaGrain from the fertile crescentMediterranean wares-olive oil and wineSlave trade began to accelerate throughout the world

Terms of Exchange

Can you guess? What would the introduction of new crops mean to the lives of all people in the middle east and beyond?

Word Language Translation

Sukkar Arabic ????????????

Qutn Arabic ????????????

Limun/Laimun

Persian/Arabic

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Narang Persian ????????????

Sharabat Arabic ????????????

Aspanakh Persian ????????????

Arruz Arabic ????????????

Al-kharashok Arabic ????????????

Agricultural Changes

Strategies like the Persian Qanat dramatically improved the quality of agriculture along the silk roads.

The Silk Roads

Facilitated by the Han EmpireThey learned under Han Wudi the explosive power of international commerce.Linked Eurasia with Oriental WorldChang’an through Taklamakan desert to the the West.

Silk Roads 200 B.C.E-300 C.E

Sea lanes on the Silk Road

Primarily an overland trade route, it did have a maritime component linking China to the Red Sea!Some goods were more easily traded on land and by sea respectively.

Individual Travel on the Silk Road

Most commerce was done by caravan.“One region over”Individual travel across the entire duration of the network was quite rare.Chinese and Central Asian nomads dominated the trade.Rarely did they precede beyond the Parthian dynasty.

Caravan Towns

Caravanserais became hot spots of cultural diffusion. These towns became not only centers of rest and relaxation but also centers of commercial and mental exchange.

The Spread of Faith (200 BCE-400 CE

Buddhism and HinduismBuddhism has always had an appeal to a variety of classes for its egalitarian nature.Buddhist centers emerged on the silk roads and established a niche as “full service” centers. Providing rest, banking, lodging, and marketsA faith with great appeal to merchants…particularly in China

Thought Question

What accounted for the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Roads?

Buddhism in China

Conflicted with Confucianism and DaoismAppealed to many in China, offended many.Its salvation component began to appeal to widespread Chinese during the 5th century.A companion to Confucianism?

Spread of Hinduism

Grew in strength in SE AsiaSpread primarily by water trade routesLeaders in the region referred to themselves as Rajas

Spread of ChristianityUnder constant siege in Roman EmpireRefusal to observe “Cult Roma”Took advantage of road travel of the day.Successful missionaries like Gregory the Wonderworker

Flourishing Christianity

Began to spread and grow in Mediterranean basin Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and North Africa, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Gaul (France)Ascetic ChristianityHeretic Christianity

Nestorian Christianity

Greek Theologian NestoriusRepresented the split in Christianity between European and Asian WorldOpposed to the divine nature of Jesus.

Manichaeism

Devised from prophet ManiSpread very rapidly.

Tenets of ManichaeismDrew deep influence from Eastern faiths as well as Christianity.World was a battleground between light (good) and dark (evil)Saw a need for a prophet for all humanity.Syncretic faith blending Z, C, and B elements.Followers rejected earthly pleasures with entangled the spirit.Based on Zoroastrian beliefs of good and evil

Manichaeism

Classes: Ascetic class known as the elect who abstained from most and were supported by “hearers”.Zealous missionary activities

Feeding of the elect

Decline

Zoroastrian pressurePersecution from Rome for cult violationsRelied on trade routes to survive

Disease

Negative element of trade and trade routesInformation on demographics difficult to find due to the age.Disease ravaged Roman and Han Empires.Smallpox and Measles led to sharp population declines (308)Led to a reduction in cross cultural trade, more regional trade.

The Indian Ocean Trade Basin

And on to India…