1. Trade Routes Eurasian Silk Roads
Connected large civilizations, pastoralists, and agriculturalists throughout Eurasia
Products were made for sale in distant markets
Chinese silk in Rome - seen as a symbol of wealth and status
Most people would travel and trade only on specific parts of the Roads
When large states were powerful and provided security, the Silk Roads prospered
Han Dynasty
7th and 8th centuries in particular

2. Trade Routes Goods/things that were traded? From China:
Silk, gunpowder, paper, mirrors
Chinese women produced a significant amount of silk in their homes
From India:
Textiles, medicine, spices, pepper
From the Middle East:
Dates, nuts, dried fruit, swords
From the Mediterranean:
Gold, jewelry, perfume, olive oil
Disease also spread on the Silk Roads
Constantinople was a significant stop on the Roads

3. Silk Roads’ Impact On Cultures
Buddhism spread from India to East Asia
Sogdians - Central Asian people
Translated Buddhist texts to Chinese
Buddhist merchants built monasteries and temples
As Buddhism spread, it changed as well
Mahayana Buddhists saw Buddha as a deity
Some elements of Zoroastrianism were included in Buddhist practices
Fire-rituals

4. Trans-Saharan Caravan Routes
Early centuries C.E. = introduction of camel from Arabia
More favorable for desert travel - > can go ten days without water
Goods that were traded:
Ivory, nuts, slaves, gold, salt
1,000s of camels would travel at once
Linked West Africa with North Africa and Europe

5. Trans-Saharan Caravan Routes
New Saddles for camels:
Behind the hump - easier to hold onto and ride
On top of the hump - can see better, especially while fighting
In front of the hump - better control of camel
Saddle for carrying goods - transport more goods

6. Indian Ocean Sea Lanes Stretched from southern China to eastern Africa
Costs were cheaper to ship than on Silk Roads -> ships had larger cargoes
Sea Lanes = goods for mass market, Silk Roads = luxury goods
Christianity spread to Southern India via merchants
Islam spread as well in the 7th century via merchants

7. Indian Ocean Sea Lanes What allowed for this commerce? Monsoons
During the summer months, the winds blew northeast, during the winter months, they blew southwest
Technology:
Astrolabe:
Could calculate latitude
New Ships:
Junks - better stability

8. Mediterranean Sea Lanes
Connected the Silk Roads to Europe and northern Africa
Byzantine Empire flourished due to trade
Constantinople’s location

9. Domesticated Animals
In addition to camels, the following animals were used to help transport goods
Ox:
Can pull heavy loads
Moves slower than other animals
Horse:
Found in many areas of the world
Used in battle
Llama:
Found in the Americas
Good traction for climbing mountains
Cannot pull heavy loads

10. Quick Recap Types of goods traded on roads and lanes
Spread and changes to Buddhism via the Silk Roads
Syncretism
Advantages of camels and other animals
Technology/knowledge for sea lanes