Silk Road
How Trade Connected and Transformed Civilizations? The Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes stretching over 7,000 kilometers, was a bridge between the East and West for over 1,500 years. It was more than a conduit for goods; it was a channel of culture, religion, technology, and ideas that profoundly shaped human history. This ancient trade route connected the civilizations of China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, fostering unprecedented cultural exchange and economic interdependence. Origins of the Silk Road The Silk Road’s origins date back to the Han Dynasty in China (206 BCE–220 CE), when Emperor Wu expanded trade to the western regions. It was named after silk, one of the most prized commodities traded along the route. Chinese silk, a luxury good valued for its softness and shimmering quality, became the epitome of wealth and refinement in ancient societies. The allure of this material was so strong that it helped establish trade relationship...