Trade Along the Silk Roads
General Info
Items Shipped
China: Cinnamon, silk, other spices
India: Pepper, sesame oil, pearls, ivory, gold
Western Lands (Europe): Gold, silver, art, iron tools, wine
Trade Routes
Traders would not go all the way from one side of the continent to the other unless they wanted to meet someone in particular. Usually, traders would meet in the middle lands like Bactria and then exchange goods there. These lands from China to Bactria were dominated mostly by Chinese and central Asian nomadic peoples. On the other hand, the Arabian Sea was dominated by Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks, and the Red Sea was dominated by the Ptolemaic empire and then later the Roman Empirex
- Went all the way to lands like Anatolia, Egypt, and Persia
- Created by the Han Dynasty
- Not a single road, consisted of a network of roads and sea routes
Items Shipped
China: Cinnamon, silk, other spices
India: Pepper, sesame oil, pearls, ivory, gold
Western Lands (Europe): Gold, silver, art, iron tools, wine
Trade Routes
Traders would not go all the way from one side of the continent to the other unless they wanted to meet someone in particular. Usually, traders would meet in the middle lands like Bactria and then exchange goods there. These lands from China to Bactria were dominated mostly by Chinese and central Asian nomadic peoples. On the other hand, the Arabian Sea was dominated by Persians, Egyptians, and Greeks, and the Red Sea was dominated by the Ptolemaic empire and then later the Roman Empirex
Effects
Analysis:
The silk roads were the first "worldwide" web. Created by the Han dynasty of China, these routes grew to cover almost the entire world (or, at least what was known at the time). This is truly an amazing accomplishment. It allowed the western world to experience spices that they have never seen nor tasted. It allowed for economies to flourish, while allowing innovations, technology, philosophy, and other ideas to be exchanged among nations. Sadly, illnesses also spread along with everything else, killing thousands of people. The overall effect of the roads, however, was positive.
- Opened up new possibilities for Europeans to cook with newly obtained spices
- Yet another way of communication between Empires
- Strengthened the economy of all local economies
- Brought new ideas, innovations, and technologies to western lands
- Spread sickness as well as goods
Analysis:
The silk roads were the first "worldwide" web. Created by the Han dynasty of China, these routes grew to cover almost the entire world (or, at least what was known at the time). This is truly an amazing accomplishment. It allowed the western world to experience spices that they have never seen nor tasted. It allowed for economies to flourish, while allowing innovations, technology, philosophy, and other ideas to be exchanged among nations. Sadly, illnesses also spread along with everything else, killing thousands of people. The overall effect of the roads, however, was positive.