Download The Silk Road

The Silk Road
Networks of Communication & Exchange
Chapter 7
Zhang Jian (Jang-Jee-en)





2nd Century BCE
“father of the Silk Road”
Sent to make alliance with western groups
Taken prisoner for 10 years
Escapes and makes it back to Changan
with stories of “heavenly horses”
 Made 18 trips
Road? & Silk?
 More than 1 route
 All started in Chang’an, China
 Romans had high demand for silk;
purchased it from Parthian traders in
Mesopotamia, followed by Sasanids in
Iran in 3rd century
 Gold, ivory, exotic animals, plants, &
RELIGION!
Buddhism
 Han emperor Mingdi sent rep to India to
learn more
 Faxian – pilgrim from China
 Went to Gupta India
 Travel account
 Evidence of huge Buddhist
influence back to China
Attacks
 Tibetan bandits (&
others)
 Han Dynasty added
300 miles to Great
Wall for protection
of routes through
Gobi Desert
 Added watch towers
& used smoke
signals