Cross+Cultural+Exchanges+and+the+Silk+Road+2


 * Cross Cultural exchanges and the Silk Road; Pages 287-302 **


 * Long Distance trade and the silk road networks SP **

-Was dangerous in classical times because of the distance and bandits -road and bridges were built to for military and administrative reasons but they helped with trade -Empires boundaries became very close or overlapping causing trade between two cultures

1. Trade Networks of the Hellenistic Era SP
a. Seleucid rulers linked Bactria to Mediterranean ports in Syria and Palestine b. Settlements by Alexander of Macedon and the Seleucid attracted Greek merchants and bankers c.The Ptolemies also maintained trade routes -they linked the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean sea lanes d. Ptolemies learned to use the monsoon winds to their advantage while trading e.Hellenistic rulers taxed trade from foreign products to make a profit f. From India there were spices, pepper, cosmetics, gems and pearls brought to Hellenistic cities g. Grain came from Persia and Egypt h. Wine, olive oil, jewelry and artwork came from the Mediterranean to Persia and Bactria i. Throughout this region there was a lot of slave trade -slaves came from kidnapped victims or prisoners of war j. the port of Rhapta became a large commercial center for the east African coast

2. The Silk Roads -VK
1. Expansion of the Classical Empires a. developement of classical empires greatly encouraged long-distance trade b. much of Eurasia and north Africa fell under classical societies c. Han empire maintained order in China and created peace in much of central Asia (offered access to Bactria and the western market) d. The Parthian empire displaced the Seleucids in Persia and extended its authority to Mespotamia e. Roman empire brought order to the Mediterranean basin f. Kushan and other regional states provided India (mostly northern India) with stability and security with the decline of the Mauryan dynasty because India lacked a strong imperial state at this time 2. Overland Trade Routes a. as classical empires expanded, merchants and travelers created an extensive net-work of trade routes that linked much of Eurasia and north Africa called the **silk roads** b. called the silk roads because high-quality Chinese silk was a strong item of trade along the routes c. the roads linked China to the Roman empire, linking extreme ends of the Eurasian landmass d. from the Han capital of Chang'an, the roads went west to the Taklamakan desert (Tarim Basin), then split into two main branches that went through the desert and oasis towns (north and south). The branches then came together at Kashgar (Kashi- western corner of modern China). From there the road went west to Bactria, where a branch forked off to Taxila and northern India (main route continued across northern Iran). There it joined with roads to ports on the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf and proceeded to Palmyra (Syria) where it met with roads coming from Arabia and ports of the Red Sea. The roads continued west until they stopped at Mediterranean ports of Antioch (Turkey) and Tyre (Lebanon). 3. Sea Lanes and Maritime Trade a. Silk roads included network of sea lanes that sustained maritime trade throughout much of the eastern hemisphere b. From Guangzhou in southern China, sea lanes through the South China Sea linked the east Asian seaboard to the mainland and the islands of southeast China (routes linking southeast Asia with Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India were extra busy in classical times) From India, sea lanes passed through the Arabian Sea to Persia and Arabia, and through the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea (offered access to land routes and the Mediterranean basin (where trade network was) 4. Trade Goods a. silk and spices traveled west from producers in southeast Asia, China, and India to consumers in central Asia, Iran, Arabia, and the Roman empire (including Egypt and north Africa) b. silk came mostly from China (only region where advanced technique to produce high-quality silk); fine spices (cloves, nutmeg, mace, and cardamom) came from southeast Asia; ginger came from China; cinnamom came from China and southeast Asia; pepper came from India; sesame oil came from India, Arabia, and southeast Asia; India also exported cotton textiles and valuable exotic items such as pearls, coral, and ivory; central Asia produced horses and jade c. the Roman Empire traded glassware, jewelry, artwork, decorative items, perfumes, bronze goods, wool and linen textiles, pottery, iron tools, olive oil, wine, and gold and silver bullion d. Mediterranean imported uncut gemstones and exported them as finished products like expensive jewelry e. spices were extremely important because they could serve as flavoring, drugs, anesthetics, aphrodisiacs, perfumes, aromatics, and magical potions anean imported uncut gemstones and exported them as finished products like expensive jewelry 5. Traveling a. some people traveled very long distances in order to trade b. on few occasions individuals even traveled across or much of all the eastern hemisphere between China and the Roman Empire c. individual merchants did not usually travel from one end of Eurasia to the other- they handled long-distance trade in stages d. Chinese and central Asian nomadic people dominated trade between China and Bactria; further west the Parthians took control; in Palmyra, merchandise passed mostly into the hands of Roman subjects such as Greeks, Jews, and Armenians who were very active in commericial life of the Mediterranean basin 6. Sea Trade a. from south China through southeast Asia to Ceylon and India, the principal figures were Malay and Indian mariners b. in the Arabian Sea, Persians joined Egyptian and Greek subjects of the Roman empire as the most prominent trading peoples c. the Parthian empire mostly controlled trade in the Persian Gulf d. the Ptolemaic dynasty and later the Roman empire dominated trade in the Red Sea e. after Roman emperors absorbed Egypt in the first century CE, their subjects carried on an especially brisk trade between India and the Mediterranean f. since the mid first century CE, the Romans had dominated both the eastern and western regions of Mediterranean 7. Impact of Trading a. trade made deep impression on contemporaries b. by first century CE, pepper, cinnamon, and other spices were at meals of the wealthy classes of the Roman empire and silk garments were items of high fashion c. silk was in high demand for the Romans d. unraveled Chinese silk into thinner strands so garments were almost transparent e. Romans worried see-through silk attire would threaten moral decay or that hefty expenditures for luxury items would ruin the imperial economy f. long-distance trade did not cause moral or economic problems for the Roman empire or any others state in classical times g. long-distance trade stimulated economies h. commercial exchanges encouraged cultural and biological exchanges, some of which had large implications for classical societies


 * Cultural and Biological Exchanges along the Silk Roads**



3.The Spread of Buddhism and Hinduism AH
1. Buddhism a. made its way throughout Iran, central Asia, China, and Southeast Asia due to the roads b.Well established in northern India c. Sponsored by emperor Ashoka d. Founded in northeastern India by Prince Siddhartha in the sixth century B.C.E. 2.Buddhism in central Asia a. First present in oasis towns of central Asia along silk roads b. Depended hugely on trade for prosperity c. Merchants were allowed monasteries and invite monks into their communities d. Oasis towns became huge cosmopolitan centers which then adopted Buddhism e. Most popular language from 200 B.C.E - 700 C.E. 3. Buddhism in China a. Religion spread though silk roads into central Asia then to China b. Earliest Buddhists in CHina we foreign merchants from places like India and central Asia c.First became popular in China during the Han dynasty d.Taught the theory of karma, the values of charity and compassion, and the need to suppress the passions 4. Hinduism a. Does not have a founder b. Practices of a variety of different religious groups which come out of India c. Started in the Indus Valley, and spread throughout the rest of India d. The spread of Hinduism came via the travels of merchants to other nearby countries for business.

TIME LINE:
 * 800-2000 BCE || Indus Valley civilization. ||
 * 1200-900 BCE || Early Vedic Period - earliest Vedas are compiled. ||
 * 900-600 BCE || Late Vedic period - Brahmanical religion develops, emphasizing ritual and social obligation. ||
 * 800-300 BCE || The 11 major Upanishads are written, which include the ideas of reincarnation and karma. ||
 * 500 BCE-1000 CE || Epics and Puranas are written, reflecting the rise of devotional movements dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Devi. ||
 * 5th cent. BCE || Buddhism and Jainism founded in India. ||
 * c. 320-185 BCE || Mauryan Dynasty founded by Chandragupta. ||
 * c. 320-500 CE || Gupta empire. ||
 * c. 500-650 CE || Gupta empire divides into several kingdoms. ||
 * c. 600-1600 CE || Rise of devotional movements, puja (worship) rituals, and idea of equality of devotees. ||
 * 7th-11th cent. || Esoteric movements based on Tantras develop. ||
 * c. 870-1280 || Cholas dynasty. Hinduism arises in the south. ||
 * 1498 || European presence in southern Asia begins with the arrival of Vasco de Gama. ||
 * 1540s || Portugese missionaries arrive in India. ||
 * 17th-19th cent. || Hindu Renaissance. ||

4. The Spread of Christianity DG
a. Persecution from Roman officials; tried to stamp out Christianity b. Christians irreligious; declined to participate in state-approved religious ceremonies c. Missionaries took advantage of roads and sea lanes; carried message to Roman Empire and Mediterranean basin 1. Christianity in the Mediterranean Basin a. Missionaries worked zealously to attract converters b. Gregory the Wonderworker; performed miracles and popularized the faith. 3 C.E. c. Miracles: expelled demons, moved boulders, diverted a river, access to superpowers d. Devout Christian communities flourished throughtout Mediterranean Basin e. Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, north Africa, Greece, Italy, Spain and Gaul 2. Christianity in Southwest Asia a. Became prominent source of religious inspiration with Roman empire b. Sizable communities in Mesopotamia and Iran; 2 C.E. c. Didn't dominate eastern lands, but attracted large numbers of converts in Asia d. Constituted one of major religious communities in region; even after 7 C.E. e. Christians began to follow strict ascetic practices in Roman empire f. Ascetic practices inspired formation of Christiaqn monastic communities in Med. Basin g. 5 C.E.; communities in Asia and Med. Basin separated ways h. Asia; Nestorians- followers of Nestorius and opposed the divine nature of Jesus i. Nestorians, 7 C.E., established communities in central Asia, India, and China

5. The Spread of Manichaeism DG
a. The spread of Manichaeism illustrates effectiveness of using trading networks b. Prophet Mani, (216-272 C.E.), devout Zoroasian, influenced by Christianity and Buddhism c. Zarathustra is to Persia, Buddha is to India, Jesus is to Mediterranean world d. Promoted syncretic blend of the 3 and would serve the needs of cosmopolitan world e. Dualist: viewed world as cosmic struggle between light and darkness; good and evil f. Strong appeal; offered means for individuals to achieve personal salvation 1. Manichaean Ethics a. Promoted ascetic lifestyle and insisted high ethical standards to live by b. 'Elects' devout manichaeans 'Hearers' less zealous Manichaeans c. All looked forward for individual salvation and eternal association d. Fervant missionary; created own church, services, rituals, hymns, and liturgies e. Appealed to merchants in Sasanid and Mediterranean regions; adopted faith as 'hearers' f. Appeared in all large cities and trading centers of Roman empire 2. Decline of Manichaeism a. Soon came under tremendous pressure; Sasanids and Romans persecuted Manichaeans b. Survived in central Asia; merchants from China, India and southwest Asia c. Like the other big 3; relied on trade routes to extend its influence to new lands and people

6. The Spread of Epidemic Disease DG
a. Infectious and contagious diseases spread along trade routes like religions b. Attacked populations with no immunities; took ferocious toll in human lives 1. Epidemic Diseases a. 2 and 3 C.E.; Hans and Romans suffered epidemics of smallpox, measles and bubonic plague b. Populations of communities affected declined sharply during an outbreak c. Epidemics reduced Roman population by one-quarter over 10 centuries; with a combination of war and invasions d. China later; population fell one-quarter from their high point 2. Effects of Epidemic Diseases a. Trade declined; caused economies to contract and move toward regional self-sufficiency b. Seriously weakened Roman and Chinese societies; led to collapsing of both empires

Interaction between Humans and the Environment
- Trade crossed seas and a variety of terrains- the silk roads - The spread of diseases from trade and the environment - Large empires covered Asia and the Middle East where cultures combined with trade and the Silk Road

Development and interaction of Cultures
-Christianity spread from the Mediterranean Basin to Southwest Asia, despite people who tried to get rid of it (ex. Romans) -Manichaeism spread throughout central Asia, India and southwest Asia -Hinduism and Buddhism was mostly central Asia and China and India -Rulers made roads to help trade - trade along the silk roads also increased the spread of deadly diseases

State-building, expansion and Conflict
-Empires helped but the silk roads in place for trade - trade helped expand empires and make their economies stronger

Creation, Expansion and interaction of Economic Systems
-Rulers put some taxes on foreign trade products to make profit - the silk road and trade along the India Ocean helped to unite Eurasia - people trade numerous items along the silk roads, further increasing their economic systems

Development and transformation of social structures
-Men were mostly the merchants which helped spread Buddhism when they traded along the silk roads -Caste system was implied for both religions