1. Middle East Crossroads and the Silk Road Trade 4/25/17
Silk Road – example of globalization and cultural diffusion
Medieval Arabia/Middle East a cross roads because it links Europe, Asia, Africa by trade
Network (not a “road”) of trading routes
Overland routes over 6,000 km
Sea routes also
City to city, trader to trader, continent to continent
In 1500s sea routes made for safer trade (overland trade decreased)
FROM WHERE TO WHERE GOODS
China to Europe silk, porcelain, paper
Europe to China glass and glassware
Middle East to Central Asia to Europe and China Persian rugs, Arabian stallions (horses), dates, fruits, incense, perfume,
textiles (Egyptian muslin, Damask from Damascus),
steel and swords (Damascus and Toledo, Spain)
India to Europe, Africa, rest of Asia Spices, orange, cotton
Africa to Europe, Asia, (later Americas) cloves, ivory, gold, salt, slaves
FROM WHERE TO WHERE IDEAS (Cultural Diffusion) *focus on Muslim Medieval world for this unit
RELIGION
India to China/Korea/Japan Buddhism
Arabian Peninsula to Europe, Africa, Asia Islam
Europe to Asia/Africa (later New World) Christianity
LANGUAGE
Arabian Peninsula to conquered lands Arabic
ACHIEVEMENTS
Muslim World to known world bookmaking, astrolabe, Arabic numerals, banking system, medicine, music
ART
Muslim World to known world literature, architecture, design