Understanding the path that carries many great things and is filled with the fascinating history created by ancient people…
The Silk Road is an essential trade route for humanity throughout a significant duration of history. Thanks to the Silk Road, new lands and cultures were discovered, driving the development of both Asia and Europe in various fields.
From a Great Road…
The Silk Road began to take shape in the 2nd century BCE when Zhang Qian, a minister of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty, was ordered to travel westward to forge alliances with new nations and peoples.
The Silk Road stretched from Asia to Europe as modeled in ancient times
Zhang Qian’s journey did not yield any new relationships for the Han dynasty but allowed him to gain extensive knowledge about Western cultures, the new routes, and laid the foundation for the Silk Road.
Historically, the Chinese brought silk and brocade to Persia and Rome, while merchants from other regions sought ways to reach China.
From here, the Silk Road developed rapidly, originating from Fuzhou, Hangzhou, and Beijing in China, passing through Mongolia, India, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Greece, and beyond.
By the 7th century, the maritime Silk Road emerged thanks to Arab traders. Subsequently, countries such as Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands began trading with China via the sea, finding it faster and safer.
…Valuable and Exotic Goods…
The Silk Road is named so because the primary and first traded item along this legendary route was silk. By the 3rd century BCE, China had discovered the methods of mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, becoming the earliest silk producers in the world.
However, silk at that time was reserved for emperors and the nobility in China. With the emergence of the Silk Road, Chinese merchants decided to bring this product to the West.
Silk was once considered currency along this route
Roman emperors and nobles were very fond of Chinese silk. They desired to own this item to the extent that they were willing to exchange silk for an equivalent weight in gold.
Recognizing the tremendous profits from this new market, Chinese merchants increased the transportation of goods to Rome and Egypt. Meanwhile, Western peoples also journeyed to China to trade and spread religion.
Slavery was also a common trade item on the Silk Road
Over time, the variety of goods on the Silk Road became increasingly diverse, including gemstones, various spices, minerals, medicines, and even animals. Conversely, Persian horses also became valuable and costly commodities traded along the Silk Road.
Not only animals were traded, but slaves were also sold along the Silk Road. Most of them were innocent common people captured in wars, criminals, or those who owed large debts they could not repay.
…to the Driving Force Behind Civilizational Development
Beyond its significance in trade, the Silk Road also became a driving force in the advancement of science during this era. Trade and exploration allowed people to gain new perspectives on nature, geography, and politics.
Through this route, cultures and various religions mingled everywhere. In major cities along the Silk Road, like Samarkand, religion was as much a source of pride as the economy.
Numerous churches, synagogues, and temples were established everywhere. All religions were accepted and respected along the Silk Road. This perspective reflected progress and laid the groundwork for the development of civilizations.
The Silk Road was also a place where many explorers made their names, most notably Marco Polo (1254 – 1324). He was an Italian who lived during the 14th century and used the Silk Road to explore many new regions in China. Marco was even appointed by Kublai Khan to a government position. Upon returning to Europe, he brought back extensive knowledge and various Chinese products.
Portrait of explorer Marco Polo
It is said that pasta was actually Chinese noodles that Marco Polo brought back to Italy via the Silk Road. Later, he documented his fascinating journey in the book “The Travels of Marco Polo”, becoming a renowned explorer in human history.
The Decline of the Great Road
Continuous wars and rampant banditry posed constant dangers for traders, gradually leading to the decline of the great Silk Road.
However, after the Mongol Empire expanded its territories across Asia and Europe, trade in this area flourished again. Yet, this very route inadvertently spread the “Black Death” across Europe and Central Asia between 1348 and 1350. This disease killed nearly 60% of Europe’s population and significantly impacted the activities along the Silk Road.
The sparsely populated ancient city of Samarkand
Ultimately, the great Silk Road disintegrated in the 1400s due to a series of unfortunate events. In China, the Ming dynasty took control of the Silk Road. High taxation forced many merchants to seek alternative routes.
The rise of the Ottoman Empire blocked the route connecting the West and East. From then on, the Silk Road faded into the past, and its glory dimmed, leaving behind many desolate ancient cities.
The Silk Road was a Dangerous Journey
Trade along the Silk Road gradually developed, but the prevalence of robbery along the way became common. Additionally, the harsh terrain and lack of drinking water posed nightmares for traders. Many who crossed the Lop Nur salt desert perished due to insufficient water supply.
To protect themselves from bandits, traders often traveled in groups or joined other caravans. Initially, the Silk Road consisted of poor paths with no resting places. Gradually, large inns sprang up along the routes taken by trading caravans. According to National Geographic, these inns were called “Caravanserai”. The word “Caravan” in Persian means merchant or pilgrim. Furthermore, trading posts along the route and intermediary traders gradually appeared to meet the demand for exchange and trade of goods during this period.
