Cross-Cultural Exchanges The Silk Road
Establishing the Silk Road Zhang Qian’s Mission West held by Xiongnu Told Han Wudi of possible trade relationship with Bactria Han Wudi subdues Xiongnu- opens western region for safe trade routes Hellenistic Era Investment in large road and bridge construction Large empires bring borders closer to others Exchanges between India/Bactria in east and Mediterranean in west Maritime trade in West Africa Ptolemies follow monsoon seasons to trade in Indian Ocean
The Silk Roads Overland trade routes linked China to Roman Empire Sea lanes linked Asia, Africa, and Mediterranean basin Silk and spices travel west from India and China Jewelry, art, perfumes, textile travel east from Roman empire Central Asia produced large horses and jade for sale in China Merchants trade in regional stages Long-distance trade over seas
Cultural Exchanges Buddhism in central Asia and China Christianity Oasis towns along Silk Road Spread to steppe lands Monasteries and missionaries popular (5th century CE) Buddhism and Hinduism spread to southeast Asia Christianity Mediterranean basin Missionaries attract converts (Gregory the Wonderworker) Communities flourish (3rd century CE) Mesopotamia, Iran, Southwest Asia, Roman Empire Nestorians Human nature of Jesus Communities in central Asia, India, and China
Cultural Exchanges Manichaeism Mani and Manichaeism Prophet Mani (Zoroastrain) influenced by Christianity and Buddhism Dualism- struggle between light and dark, good and evil Personal salvation Ascetic lifestyle + highly ethical standards “Elect” and the “hearers” Appealed to merchants Mesopotamia, east Mediterranean, and Roman empire Persecuted by Sasanids and Romans-> thrives in central Asia
Biological Exchanges Epidemic diseases Rome and China: smallpox, measles, bubonic plague Roman Empire: population drops by 25% from 1st to 10th century CE China: population drops by 25% from 1st to 7th century CE Both Chinese and Roman economies suffer Small regional economies emerge Weaken Han and Roman empires
China after the Han Dynasty Factions and land distribution problems lead to rebellions Generals seize political authority-> emperor becomes puppet 220 CE general divide empire into three kingdoms Nomadic peoples come in-> divides China further for 350 years Cultural Changes Sinicization- process through which non-Han Chinese societies (nomadic peoples) come under the influence of the dominant Han Chinese state and society Confucianism loses credibility with political instability Popularity of Buddhism-> nomadic rulers are down
Fall of the Roman Empire Internal Decay Barracks emperors- series of general seize the throne from 235-284 CE Emperor Diocletian (284-305 CE) Divided empire into two districts-> co-emperor rules each district with aid of powerful lieutenant Emperor Constantine New capital at Constantinople
Fall of the Roman Empire Germanic Invasions Germanic migrations from Northern Europe to Eastern and Northern part of Roman Empire Visigoths- Scandinavian and Russian nomads who moved into northern China Adopted Roman law and Christianity Romans keep Germanic peoples as buffer The Huns attack Europe (mid-5th century CE) by warrior king Attila
Fall of the Roman Empire Collapse of Western Roman Empire Hun’s force Germanic peoples into Roman Empire Established settlements in Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britain, and north Africa Germanic general deposes Roman emperor, 476 CE Imperial authority continues in Eastern half
Cultural Changes Christianity survives Edict of Milan makes Christianity legit, 313 CE Emperor Theodosius proclaims Christianity official religion, 380 CE St. Augustine harmonizes Christianity with Plutonic thought Church becomes institutionalized Conflicting doctrines and practices among Christians Standardized hierarchy of church officials Bishop of Rome, Pope, becomes spiritual leader Roman empire collapses Christianity as cultural foundation