Chapter 24 The Silk Road History Alive! Pages 233 - 241

24.1 Introduction The Silk Road was actually a network of smaller trade routes that stretched more than 4,000 miles across Asia. Both goods and ideas traveled along the road. The Silk Road linked the peoples of the East and the West for more than 1000 years.

24.2 The Opening of the silk road The Silk Road was possible by the expansion of the Han empire. Chinese explorer Zhang Qian is called the Father of the Silk Road. Zhang Qian traveled twice to the West and brought back stories of places such as Rome, Persia, India and Syria. He discovered grapes and a more powerful horse.

Silk as a Trade Good Silk is a fiber used to make cloth. It was so valuable because only the Chinese knew how to make it. Under the Han dynasty, it was a crime punishable by death to reveal the silk secret!

24.3 Rome Trades Glassware for Silk Chinese silk was a luxury item. It was rare and expensive. Even the richest Romans could afford to wear only a small strip or path attached to their togas. The Romans had and knew how to make decorative glass. The Chinese were unfamiliar with glass. The Romans and the Chinese were happy to trade.

24.4 The Eastern Silk Road Several dangers faced traders crossing the Taklamakan. Bandits often attacked travelers. Sudden sandstorms buried travelers in sand. Mirages lured many travelers off the main path to their deaths. Silk was the perfect item to carry on the Silk Road. It was light weight and VERY valuable! Chinese also traded dishware and jewelry. In return, they received the valuable horses.

24.5 The Western Silk Road The Western route included very high elevations, steep cliffs and dangerous animals. It was called the “trail of bones.” Gold, silk, glass, perfumes, cosmetics, carpets, slaves and metal items were traded amongst Rome, India and China.

24.6 Cultural Exchanges Along the Silk Road Trade between East (China) and West (Europe) also resulted in cultural exchanges. By 500 AD – Roman learned how to make silk and China learned how to make glass. Many plants were exchanged between the two continents. Buddhism began to spread outside of Asia.

A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker. A jug fills drop by drop. All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him. All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else. All wrong-doing arises because of mind. If mind is transformed can wrong-doing remain? Ambition is like love, impatient both of delays and rivals.

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea. An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair. Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely. Every human being is the author of his own health or disease. Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule. Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little. He is able who thinks he is able. He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.