Silk Road Flashcards

Silk Road

A network of land and maritime trade routes connecting East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, and Southern Europe.

Time Period of the Silk Road

Established during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) and remained active until the mid-15th century.

Origin of the Name 'Silk Road'

Coined by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen in 1877, based on silk being the most lucrative commodity traded.

Major Trade Good from East Asia

Silk, highly prized for its texture and status symbol in the Roman Empire.

Other Trade Goods from East Asia

Spices (cinnamon, ginger, pepper), porcelain, and technological inventions (paper, gunpowder, compass).

Major Trade Good from the West

Horses, particularly 'heavenly horses' from Central Asia, sought after by the Chinese military.

Cultural Exchange Along the Silk Road

Religion (Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism), art (fusion of styles), and technology (papermaking).

Caravanserai

Roadside inns where traders could rest and recover, facilitating the exchange of news and ideas.

Challenges Faced by Silk Road Traders

Harsh geography (e.g., Gobi Desert, Pamir Mountains) and security threats from bandits.

Pax Mongolica

A period during the 13th and 14th centuries when the Mongol Empire provided protection for caravans.

Factors Leading to Decline of the Silk Road

Development of maritime routes, political instability from collapsing empires, and the spread of disease.

Impact of the Bubonic Plague

Facilitated by the Silk Road, the plague decimated populations along the trade routes in the 14th century.