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[[File:Caravane_sur_la_Route_de_la_soie_-_Atlas_catalan.jpg|thumbnail|left|Caravan on the Silk Road]] One very influential connection made between Europe and China in ancient periods was the so-called Silk Road (Figure 1). While this did not mean a specific road across long periods, it did represent a network of routes that connected much of the Old World between Europe and China for roughly 1500 years and brought about profound technical and cultural changes that had global ramifications.__NOTOC__====Early Phases====By the 4th millennium BC, Central Asia had begun to play an important role in trade to the ancient Near East. Lapis Lazuli, semi-precious stones, and tin by the 3rd millennium BC made the region’s resources attractive to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia.<ref>For information on trade objects between Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt, see: Boyle, Katie, Colin Renfrew, and Marsha Levine, eds. 2002. Ancient Interactions: East and West in Eurasia. McDonald Institute Monographs. Cambridge: McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.</ref> By the 2nd millennium BC, we also see eastern China interacting with western China and Central Asia more so, with jade objects being in high demand.<ref> For information on China’s interest in Jade, see: Fossati, Gildo. 1994. The World of Jade: Great Masterpieces of Chinese Art. New York: Crescent Books.</ref>

Figure 1. Key However, much of the trade routes along contacts between the Silk Road Near East, Europe, and China were very limited. When objects are exchanged between distant regions, they tended to be traded indirectly by the late 1st millennium AD (https://entrade to one state or region.wikipediaThat region would trade it further down to another region.org/wiki/Silk_Road#/media/File:SeidenstrasseGMTThis made regions in Europe, China, and Near East, much less aware of each other.JPG)The primary reason for this state was much of Asia was politically fragmented.

By ====Achaemenid Roots====In many respects, the 4th millennium Silk Road develops more substantially during the Achaemenid (550-330 BC) period. At this time, Central Asia had begun to play an important role in trade to the ancient Near East. Lapis Lazuli, semiwitnessed more long-precious stoneslasting empires, and tin by providing greater trade stability throughout the region. While this began with the 3rd millennium Neo-Assyrians (911-612 BC made ), the region’s resources attractive Achaemenids were able to hold much larger territory, covering Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia.<ref>For information on trade objects between Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt, see: Boyle, Katiethe Levant, Colin RenfrewPersia, and Marsha Levineparts of Central Asia, eds. 2002. Ancient Interactions: East and West in Eurasia. McDonald Institute Monographs. Cambridge: McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.</ref> By almost the 2nd millennium BC, we also see eastern China interacting with western China and Central Asia more so, with objects such as jade being entire period in which they were in high demandpower.<ref>For information on China’s interest in Jaderegarding the Achaemenids, see: Fossati, Gildo. 1994. The World of Jade: Great Masterpieces their control of Chinese Art. New York: Crescent Books.</ref> However, much of the trade contacts between the Near East, Europe, and China were very limited. When objects did exchange between distant regions it tended to be traded indirectly by being trade to one state or region, then that region would trade it further down to another region. This made regions in Europe, China, and Near East much less aware of each other. The primary reason for this state was much of Asia was politically fragmented. For example, to trade Lapis Lazuli from Central Asia to places such as Mesopotamia, in modern Iraq and Syria, trade would often have to go south to India, then by boat shipped to Mesopotamia along the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. Overland routes were possible but many tribes and small states prevented easier access of lapis by the large urban societies.<ref> For information on trade in the Near East and Central Asia in the Bronze Age, see: Mair, Victor H. Daryaee, Jane HickmanTouraj, and University of Pennsylvania, edsed. 20142012. ''Reconfiguring the Silk Road: New Research on East-West Exchange in AntiquityThe Oxford Handbook of Iranian History''. Philadelphia, PAOxford Handbooks. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, pg. 7Press.</ref> This made direct trade both expensive and difficult at times between far away states.

The ====Hellenistic and Parthian Developments====[[File: Silk Route extant.JPG|thumbnail|left|Silk Road, in many respects, develops more substantially during ]]With the Achaemenid (550-330 BC) period. At this time, expansion of Alexander the Near East began Great’s empire to witness more long-lasting empires, providing greater trade stability throughout the region. While this began with the Neo-Assyrians (911-612 BC), the Achaemenids were able to hold much larger territory, covering Egypt, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, the Levant, Persia, India and parts of Central Asia, for almost the entire period in which they were in powerGreeks became more aware of the East's riches.<ref>For more information regarding the Achaemenids, their control of the Near East and tradeon Alexander’s interactions with Eastern cultures, see: DaryaeeBosworth, Touraj, edA. B. 20121998. ''Alexander and the East: The Oxford Handbook Tragedy of Iranian History''Triumph. Oxford Handbooks. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> This long period Contacts between China and the Hellenistic world were likely made at this time, with Alexander having established the city of stability allowed Alexandria Eschate (or Alexander the Achaemenids to develop long-distance roads, including Farthest) that became an important trading city on the Royal emerging Silk Road that connected ancient Susa in Iran with Lydia in western Anatolia. Such roads By the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms were possible not because of any major technical achievement but because much of the region was now part of one overarching state. This then began a long period of more direct thriving trade established, further promoting contacts between the Greek world, the Near EastIndian, and Central Asian cultures.<ref>For information on Hellenistic-influenced kingdoms in Central Asia, see: Bactrian and Indian Hellenistic Dynasties: Greco-Bactrian Kings, Indo-Greek Kings, Demetrius I of Bactria, Euthydemus I, Diodotus I. Movements between these regions were now possible without having to cross many statesMemphis: LLC Books. </ref>

==Hellenistic However, the Silk Road's formal establishment can be argued to have begun under Parthian (247 BC-224 AD) leadership. We know that Mithridates II (121-91 BC) is the first known Near Eastern king to have established political and diplomatic relations with a Chinese ruler. The Parthian king sent an ambassador.<ref> For more information on the relevance of Parthia and China's diplomatic connections to the Silk Road, see: Edwards, Chris. 2015. Connecting the Dots in World History, a Teacher’s Literacy-Based Curriculum. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, pg. 90.</ref> <dh-ad/>This act paved the way for establishing long-distance trade contacts with China and created the long-term basis for the Silk Road, along which silk was traded from China up to the Mediterranean, crossing Parthian Developments==lands. This made the Parthians key actors in the trade. What is significant is even in times of major conflicts, such as between Rome and the Parthians, trade was not as easily disrupted as it had been in earlier periods. This begins to show the importance of wealth and financial power traders had in maintaining strong trade ties despite volatile political conditions.<ref>For information during the Roman period with the East, see: McLaughlin, Raoul. 2010. ''Rome and the Distant East: Trade Routes to the Ancient Lands of Arabia, India, and China''. London ; New York: Continuum.</ref> In fact, it was not just land routes across Asia that thrived, but sea trade across the Old World also thrived.

With ====Later Periods====During the expansion of Alexander the Great’s empire Roman period, we begin to see wealthy Romans now having regular access to India and objects coming from China or Central Asia. Along with incense products (i.e. frankincense and myrrh) from southern Arabia, silk began to be the Greeks became more aware major commodity of the riches of the Eastdesire by wealthy citizens.<ref>For more information on Alexander’s interactions with Eastern culturesabout the silk trade during the Roman period, see: Bosworth, A. B. 1998. Alexander The Roman Empire and the East: Silk Routes The Tragedy Ancient World Economy and the Empires of TriumphParthia, Central Asia, and Han China. Oxford: Oxford University Press2015. Pen & Sword.</ref> Contacts between China and By the Hellenistic world were likely made at this time5th century AD, with Alexander having established the city decline of Alexandria Eschate (or Alexander the Farthest) that became an important trading city along the emerging Silk Road. By the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCRoman Empire, the Greco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek kingdoms were established, further promoting contacts between Greek, Indian, and Central Asian cultures.<ref>For information on Hellenistic-influenced kingdoms demand in Central Asia, see: Bactrian Europe for Chinese silk and Indian Hellenistic Dynasties: Greco-Bactrian Kings, Indo-Greek Kings, Demetrius I of Bactria, Euthydemus I, Diodotus I. Memphis: LLC Booksproducts declined. </ref>

However, formal establishment of the Silk Road can be argued it continued to have begun under Parthian (247 BC-224 AD) leadership. We know that Mithridates II (121-91 BC) is thrive in the first known Near Eastern king to have established political and diplomatic relations with a Chinese rulerEast; in fact, to whom the Parthian king sent an ambassador.<ref> For more information on for most of the relevance history of the diplomatic connections between Parthia and China to the Silk Road, see: Edwardsit was the Near East empires, Chris. 2015. Connecting starting from the Dots in World HistoryParthians, and continuing to the Islamic empires that had a Teacher’s Literacy-Based Curriculum. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, pg. 90.</ref> This act paved the way for the establishment of long-distance dominant role in facilitating trade contacts with China and created the long-term basis for along the Silk Road along , which silk was traded from China up to the Mediterranean, crossing Parthian lands. This made the Parthians key actors have a major effect on European thinking in the tradelater periods. What is significant is even in times of major conflictsNevertheless, commodities and technologies such as between Rome gunpowder, paper, and the Parthians, trade was not as easily disrupted as it had been magnetic compass from China made their way to the Near East in earlier periodsthe Middle Ages and then were transferred to Europe. This begins to show the importance of wealth Chinese porcelain ceramics also became influential and financial power traders had were imitated both in maintaining strong trade ties despite volatile political conditionsEurope and the Near East.<ref>For information during about key technologies traded along the Roman period with the EastSilk Road, see: McLaughlin Christensen, RaoulBonnie. 20102013. ''Rome and the Distant EastA Single Pebble: Trade Routes to A Story of the Ancient Lands of Arabia, India and ChinaSilk Road''. London ; First edition. New York: ContinuumRoaring Brook Press.</ref> In fact, it was not just land routes across Asia that thrived but sea trade across the Old World also thrived.

It was not just the trade of technologies or commodities that made the Silk Road important. Still, it was major motivations for exploration and exchange of ideas that made the Silk Road influential. Religions such as Islam and Buddhism expanded along with parts of the Silk Road and facilitated these religions in reaching China and Eastern Asia.<ref>For information on Islam expanding along the Silk Road, see: Elverskog, Johan. 2010. ''Buddhism and Islam on the Silk Road''. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, http://ezproxy.viu.ca/login?url==Later Periods==http://muse.jhu.edu/books/9780812205312/.</ref>

During With the Roman periodbeginning of the Renaissance in Europe, we begin to see wealthy Romans now having regular access to objects coming a greater desire for luxury items from China or Central Asia. Along with products such as incense (i.e. frankincense and myrrh) from southern Arabia, silk began to be the major commodity of desire by wealthy citizens.<ref>For information about the silk trade reached levels seen during the Roman period, see: The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes The Ancient World Economy and the Empires of Parthia, Central Asia and Han China. 2015. Pen & Sword.</ref> By the 5th century ADAt this time, with the decline of the Roman Empirehowever, demand in Europe for Chinese silk and products declined. However, it continued to thrive in the Near East; in fact, for most there was a realization that much of the history of the Silk Road it trade was the Near East empires, starting from the Parthians, and continuing to controlled by the Islamic empires that had a dominant role in facilitating trade along the Silk Roadstates, which was to have a major effect on European thinking in later periods. Nevertheless, commodities and technologies such as gunpowder, paper, and the magnetic compass from China made their way to including the Near East in the Middle Ages and then were transferred to Europe. Chinese porcelain ceramics also became influential and were imitated both in Europe and the Near Eastrising Ottomans.<ref> For information about key technologies that were traded along on how the Silk RoadOttomans influenced European sea exploration, see: ChristensenBeckwith, BonnieChristopher I. 20132011. ''A Single PebbleEmpires of the Silk Road: A Story History of Central Eurasia from the Silk RoadBronze Age to the Present''. First edition7th printing and first paperback printing. New YorkPrinceton, NJ: Roaring Brook Princeton Univ. Press, pg.208</ref>The desire to reach China and its riches motivated Europeans to find alternative routes, leading to the New World's exploration. In effect, Columbus and later explorers' discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries were a reaction against the control of trade by Islamic powers in the Near East and Central Asia.

It was not just trade ====Summary====With the discovery of technologies or commodities that made the Silk Road important but it was major motivations for exploration and exchange New World, Europe now had a unique source of ideas wealth that made was less dependent on other regions controlling trade. This led to the Silk Road influential. Religions such as Islam large-scale economic power growth in Europe and Buddhism expanded along parts of allowed it to reach major technical advantages by the Silk Road and facilitated these religions early modern period in reaching China the 17th and Eastern Asia18th centuries.<ref>For information on Islam expanding along the Silk RoadIn effect, see: Elverskog, Johan. 2010. ''Buddhism and Islam on one can argue it was the Silk Road''. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, http://ezproxy.viu.ca/login?url=http://muse.jhu.edu/books/9780812205312/.</ref> In that motivated Europe, with to seek new access to the beginning riches of trade with the Renaissance, greater desire for luxury items from China once again reached levels seen during the Roman periodEast. At this time, however, there was a realization That motivated early explorers to make discoveries that much of paved the trade was controlled by way for the Islamic states, including rise of European powers to become dominant political actors worldwide over the rising Ottomanslast four centuries.<ref>For information on how the Ottomans influenced European sea exploration, see: BeckwithThis, Christopher I. 2011. ''Empires of along with the technical achievements and ideas that spread along the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present''. 7th printing and first paperback printing. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univ. Press, pg. 208</ref> The desire to reach China had a lasting and its riches motivated Europeans to find alternative routes, leading to the exploration of the New World. In profound effect, the discoveries by Columbus and later explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries were a reaction against the control of trade by Islamic powers in the Near East on world history and Central Asiashaping our modern world.

==Summary==References====<references/>

[[Category:Economic History]] [[Category:Asian History of the Middle East]][[Category:Ancient History]]