The Silk Road: Trade, Empires, and Cultural Exchange

Silk Road

A vast trade network connecting multiple civilizations.

Trade Goods

Silk, spices, gold, silver, and more exchanged.

Cultural Exchange

Spread of religion, science, and language through trade.

Geographic Reach

Connected China, Central Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa.

Maritime Silk Road

Sea routes linking China to India and Africa.

Han Dynasty

Protected trade routes in Central Asia (206 BCE - 220 CE).

Zhang Qian

Explorer who opened new trade paths for Han.

Kushan Empire

Promoted multiculturalism and religious tolerance in Bactria.

Parthian Empire

Connected trade between China, India, and Rome.

Roman Empire

Major importer of silk and spices from Silk Road.

Islamic Caliphates

Expanded trade and Islamic influence across regions.

Ibn Battuta

Moroccan explorer who traveled over 75,000 miles.

Marco Polo

Venetian merchant who inspired European interest in Asia.

Buddhism

Originated in India, spread to Central Asia and China.

Christianity

Spread from Roman Empire into Persia and China.

Islam

Spread through trade, merchants, and conquest along routes.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Linked West Africa to Mediterranean, exporting gold and salt.

Mediterranean Sea Trade

Connected Europe, Middle East, North Africa for trade.

Cultural Bridge

Silk Road facilitated cultural and religious exchanges.

Economic Exchange

Enabled global economic interactions across civilizations.

Mongol Empire Collapse

Contributed to the decline of Silk Road trade.

Nestorian Church

Flourished in Persia and China during Tang Dynasty.