1. Chapter 24
The Silk Road

2. 24.1: Introduction Silk Road
A network of smaller trade routes that stretched more than 4,000 miles across Asia
Reached from Luoyang and the Han capital of Chang’an in China to Mediterranean region
Connected the empires of Han and Romans
Goods and ideas traveled along the Road
Chinese traded silk and jade
Received spices from India and glassware from Rome
Buddhism entered China

3. 24.2: The Opening of the Silk Road
Silk Road was made possible by the expansion of the the Han empire
Zhang Qian
Called the “Father of the Silk Road”
His travels open the way for trade between China and its western neighbors
In 138 BCE, Zhang was sent west with 100 men
Mission was to form an alliance with western people’s against the Huns

4. Trade Routes Was taken prisoner by the Huns twice, but he escaped
He was not able to form an alliance.
He was able to bring back information about Persia, Syria, India, and Rome.
On a second quest, he discovered a stronger horse, grapes, and was able to establish trade relationships with central Asia
Trade Routes
Smaller routes connected to form larger networks
Most famous was the Silk Road…. Named after the product that was most valued: Chinese silk

5. Silk Fiber used to make cloth Strong, but warm, light, and soft
Was valuable to trade because only the Chinese knew how to make
Made from the cocoon of a silkworm
The process was kept a secret
During the Han Dynasty, revealing the secret was punishable by death

6. 24.3: Rome Trades Glasswork for Silk
First time silk is seen
Battle near the Euphrates River
Silk banners were unfurled
Romans lost, but lead them to want silk for themselves
Chinese Silk
Luxury item
Rare and expensive
Even richest Romans could only afford a small strip

7. Romans knew how to blow glass into wonderful, delicate shapes
Chinese were unfamiliar with glass production
Romans were happy to trade glassware for silk

8. 24.4: The Eastern Silk Road Traveling the Eastern Silk Road
Connected Luoyang to Kashgar
Western Road connected Kashgar to Antioch and other Mediterranean ports
Led west along the Gobi Desert
This route was protected at the north by the Great Wall
From Dunhuang, travelers could choose to go north or south across the desert to Kashgar

9. Dangers
Bandits often attacked travelers on the northern route
Sandstorms would bury travelers in sand
Travelers may be lured off the road by mirages
Traveled by camel caravans for protection
Bactrian camels were used
Had double eyelids and nostrils to keep out sand