Chapter 24 Section 24.2-24.5 The Silk Road

Silk Road

A series of trade and cultural transmission routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting the West and East by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time.

How were good transported after they reached Antioch and where were they sent?

By boat throughout the Mediterranean world, including Rome.

How did travelers overcome the challenge of the desert?

Caravans of camels, avoiding mirages, and stopping at oasises.

What products from Egypt, Arabia, and Persia (Ctesiphon) were traded along the Silk Road?

Carpets and Perfumes.

What product was new the Chinese and was traded by the Romans?

Glassware.

What products from Rome (Antioch) were traded along the Silk Road?

Gold and Glassware.

What products were from Central Asia (Kucha) that were traded along the Silk Road?

Gold and Horses.

What are two foods/produts China learned about as a result of trade on the Silk Road?

Grapes and cucumbers.

List three things Zhang Qian brought back to China from his journeys.

Grapes, Stronger Horses, and Knowledge from other cultures.

What are other challenges of the Silk Road?

Hard to find resources. Cultural diffusion and languages. Each city had it's own specialty in producing goods.

Why did the Roman emperor forbid men from wearing silk?

He did not want it to leave his empire.

Why was silk the perfect trading good?

It was light and valuable.

How did trade along the Silk Road result in cultural diffusion?

Merchants were spreading their ideas (language, creation of products,etc.) as well as products: silk, glassware, spices, etc.

What are two foods/products that the West (Rome) learned about as a result of trade on the Silk Road?

Oranges and Roses.

What products were from India (Kashgar) that were traded along the Silk Road?

Pearls and spices.

What threats did traders encounter along the Western Half of the Silk Road?

Sand storms and Mountains

What threats did traders encounter along the Eastern Half of the Silk Road?

Sand storms and bandits.

What products were from China (Dunhuang) that were traded along the Silk Road?

Silk and Dishware.

What was China's most valuable trade good and why?

Silk, because they were the only country able to produce it.

Which Chinese empire opened the Silk Road and how?

The Han empire, by defeating Nomadic people in Northwestern China.

What are some of the challenges of Trading Along the Silk Road?

Travelers had to travel long distances and then rest for days or weeks.

caravan

a group of travelers journeying together for safety, as through deserts, hostile territory, etc

trade route

a specific path followed by traders (usually in caravans)

cultural diffusion

the spread of items—such as ideas, styles, religions, technologies, languages etc.—between individuals, whether within a single culture or from one culture to another