Silk Road

Silk Road

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes which connected the East and West, and was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions from the 2nd century BCE to the 18th century.

History

The Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in silk carried out along its length, beginning in the Han dynasty in China (207 BCE–220 CE). The Han dynasty expanded the Central Asian section of the trade routes around 114 BCE through the missions and explorations of the Chinese imperial envoy Zhang Qian, as well as several military conquests.

Geography

The Silk Road spanned from the Asian continent to the Mediterranean world, including parts of North Africa and Europe. The routes were not only used for trade but also for cultural, religious and technological exchange, and enabled people to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Trade

Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of the civilizations of China, the Indian subcontinent, Persia, Europe, and Arabia. It opened long-distance, political and economic interactions between the civilizations. Though silk was certainly the major trade item from China, many other goods were traded, and religions, syncretic philosophies, and various technologies, as well as diseases, also traveled along the Silk Routes.

Decline

The Silk Road declined in the 15th century with the rise of the sea trade routes following the Age of Discovery and the establishment of the Ottoman Empire which controlled significant parts of the trade routes.

Legacy

The legacy of the Silk Road is seen in the many cultural and technological developments that were exchanged, including languages, religions, sciences, and the arts. Today, the Silk Road still holds economic and cultural significance.

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