The Legacy of the Silk Road

The Silk Road was cultural transmission route established between the east and the west, from
China all the way to Rome and other European countries, and has been used throughout the
history. It is around 7000 miles long and its name is derived from the Chinese Silk market that
traded during the Han Dynasty from 206 until 220 AD. Around 130 BC, the Chinese armies had
established themselves in the Center of Asia. After that, the Chinese formed the Silk route
which became a major source for trade between many civilizations. The Great Wall was also
extended to secure the trade route. The route has been active since 200 BCE until the 15
th

Century. Because in different times, different civilizations have dominated the route, it has
experienced several changes.
The trade route brought development to the Chinese civilizations, the Indian subcontinent,
Arabia, Europe and Persia. Due to this road, much socio-economic and political information was
shared between the different civilizations. Though the route was specially constructed for
trading silk, China also traded many other goods and much useful cultural information. The
bubonic plague also spread on the same route.
Much of the artistic influences were also traded through this route. The Iranian, Indian,
Chinese, Greek, Buddhist and European impressionist art was all traded throughout the world.
On these routes, Silk was considered as the main currency. During this time, the major traders
included the Persians, Romans, Indians and the Bactrian traders. From the fifth to the eighth
century AD, the Sogdian traders also contributed to the trade and then finally during the Age of
Islam, the Arab traders were active as well.
The trade through this route decreased much in the middle ages. The division of the Mongol
Empire weakened the political and socio cultural bonds of the Silk Route. The Turkmeni lords
captured and seized the western section of the silk route, therefore, disconnecting Europe from
Asia. This had happened when the Byzantine Empire was decaying.
The introduction of gunpowder in Europe had led to increased trading through seas.
Meanwhile, on the Silk Road, the Mongols could not maintain power and the trade had hence
declined. With the Ottoman supremacy, the new trade route for silk had been built through the
sea by 1453 AD. The ottoman rulers were fighting against the crusaders and considering the
Muslim losses in Andalusia, very little trade was left between the two continents.
Source:
http://www.researchomatic.com/the-silk-road-118375.html