Summary:
Trade in the classical civilizations was an important aspect of their society. Trade not only allowed for goods and services to be exchanged but culture, religion, and diseases. Eventually over time trade become organized and structured into what we call today, the Silk Roads.
Trade in the classical civilizations was an important aspect of their society. Trade not only allowed for goods and services to be exchanged but culture, religion, and diseases. Eventually over time trade become organized and structured into what we call today, the Silk Roads.
Commerce in silk and other products led to the establishment of an intricate network of trade routes known as the Silk Roads. It was a 4000 mile path that lasted from 500 B.C.E to 1500 B.C.E that linked lands as distant as China and the Roman Empire. It all started when Chinese Silk become a prized commodity in India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and the Roman Empire. Merchants traveled these roads from afar to purchase this luxury and soon other
products were being traded. These include spices that traveled west from Southeast Asia, China, and India to merchants in central Asia, Iran, Arabia, and the Roman Empire. Some of the spices that traveled the Silk Roads are cloves, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and sesame oil. Spices were very important t in classical times because of their many uses. They were used as condiments, drugs, anesthetics aphrodisiacs, perfumes, aromatics, and magical potions. Other goods were also exchanged. Central Asia exchanged large strong horses and jade. The Roman Empire contributed glassware, jewelry, works of are, perfumes, and iron tools. From the Mediterranean came uncut gemstones which were used as decorative times.
The Silk Roads also helped facilitate the transmission of disease, culture, and religion. Religion was spread when merchants carried their beliefs and attracted converts in the lands that they visit ed. Examples of spread religions include, Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Christianity. Along with religions, diseases were also exchanged. These diseases caused epidemics and the most common outbreaks were smallpox, measles, and the bubonic plague. Pathogens traveled the trade routes and helped bring down
Classical societies, like the Han Dynasty and the Western Roman Empire since the diseases started epidemics. The most popular diseases were smallpox, measles, and the bubonic plague.
Despite those negative aspects, the Silk Roads had many positive contributions. Aside from the exchange of goods and religions, they also influenced the experience of people and the development of societies throughout the eastern hemisphere. It brought wealth and access to foreign products, and enabled people to find economies best suited for their regions. The exchange of goods, skills, religion, and knowledge on the Silk Roads were very important and influenced the societies of Eurasia and Africa.
This is the complete article, containing 406 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
