Silk Roads and Religious Transmission (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, places, figures, and religions mentioned in the Silk Roads lecture notes.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting the Mediterranean world with China and Central Asia, enabling the exchange of goods, technologies, and ideas across Afro-Eurasia; oasis cities in Central Asia were crucial hubs.

Oasis cities

Key Central Asian hubs that sustained the Silk Roads by providing water, shelter, and markets for travelers and traders.

Merv

An oasis city in western Central Asia controlled by the Sasanians; an important Silk Roads node.

Sogdiana

A Central Asian region whose rulers patrolled Silk Road routes and connected west and east.

Tukharistan

A Central Asian region under nomadic overlords that linked Silk Roads from west to east and north–south via Afghanistan.

Samarkand

A major Central Asian city on the Silk Roads that paid tribute and connected western and eastern caravans.

Panjikent

An eastern Central Asian city that paid tribute and served as a Silk Roads hub.

Constantine

Roman emperor who founded Constantinople; depicted in the artwork presenting the new city to Jesus and Mary.

Constantinople

The city founded by Constantine; capital of the Byzantine Empire and a major relay point on Silk Roads-era exchanges.

Hagia Sophia

Church commissioned by Justinian in Constantinople; emblem of Byzantine religious authority.

Justinian

Byzantine emperor associated with the construction of Hagia Sophia and the spread of Orthodox Christianity.

Christianity

Universalizing religion that spread through the Mediterranean and beyond along Silk Roads routes.

Buddhism

Religion from India that spread along the Silk Roads into Central and East Asia.

Brahmanism (Vedic religion)

Early Hindu religious tradition that spread along Silk Roads into northern India.

Afro-Eurasia

The combined landmass of Africa, Europe, and Asia; the geographic arena of Silk Roads exchanges.

Universalizing religions

Religions aiming to appeal to broad audiences; Christianity, Buddhism, and Brahmanism described as spreading along the Silk Roads.