Aim: How did the Silk Roads affect Classical Civilizations? Do Now: What do you know about the Silk Roads? What would you like to know?

I What was the secret of silk? A) The Romans spent a lot of money importing silk from China. But why? B) China kept the process of making silk a secret- the penalty was death! C) Silk fibers come from silkworm cocoons. Silk is not only beautiful and lightweight, but is also warm in cool weather and cool in hot weather!

II The Silk Roads Beginning in Chang'an (now Xian) in east China and ending at the Mediterranean in the west, the Silk Roads linked China with the Roman Empire! The Silk Roads not only facilitated trade between the east and west, but also led to cultural diffusion, and unfortunately also the spread of diseases. Not only was there an overland route, but the Silk Roads also included maritime routes (by water). Usually, there was no direct contact between the Romans and the Chinese. Instead, merchants and traders would travel a certain distance only before trading with other merchants along the way. Domesticated animals like the camel helped traders in the deserts! Often traders would travel by camel caravan (an organized group of travelers).

The Overland Silk Roads Notice that the overland Silk Roads bypass the Taklamakan Desert.

Notice the Maritime Silk Roads!

III Trans-Sahara Trade: Merchants used camel caravans (groups of camels and goods moving together) to trade across north Africa. The main goods traded in western Africa were gold and salt.

Camel Caravan

IV Spices! Spices were traded along the Silk Road. Due to: Food preservation (along with salt) Medical benefits Taste! Cinnamon is actually the inner bark of a tree! Pepper was the most common spice used in Classical times!

Modern Spice Market, Istanbul, Turkey

V Religions and Belief Systems spread along the Silk Roads!

Summary Questions Complete the Classical Civilization chart Examine the map of the Overland Silk Roads. If you began in the East, list at least 4 stops you would have to make to go to the Mediterranean. Examine the map showing the Maritime Silk Roads. If you began in Rome, list at least 4 stops by sea you would have to make to get to Guangzhou. a)Why was silk and spices so valuable? b) If you were the Roman emperor, would you have spent a lot of money on silk and spices? Explain your answer. 5. Who benefitted the most from the Silk Roads? Explain your answer.

Key Vocabulary Caravan Cultural Diffusion Maritime Silk Roads Mediterranean Overland Silk Roads Silk Silk Worms Spices Trans-Sahara Trade