The History of the Silk Road
Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty decided in 138 B.C.E. to forge military alliances with kingdoms west of his northwestern archenemy the Xiongnu (or Hun) tribes. He charged General Zhang Qian with this mission, giving him one hundred of his best fighting men and valuable gifts to seal the military cabals. Thirteen years later, having been a Xiongnu hostage for ten years, General Zhang returned to the Imperial Han court with only one other member of the original party. Though he had failed to make a single military alliance, General Zhang enthralled the court with information of the thirty-six commercially vibrant kingdoms west of China's frontier. Compounding the Emperor's interest was his description of the magnificent horses he'd seen in the Ferghana valley (modern day Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan); horses that were stronger and faster than any in China, horses so fine as to render the Chinese army invincible.
Subsequent commercial and diplomatic ventures to the Ferghana valley failed to secure horses and so precipitated two full-scale Chinese invasions, the second of which in 102 B.C.E. succeeded in conquering all lands between China and the Ferghana Valley. The Chinese had secured not only horses but also foreign markets in which to sell their goods. Fifty or so years later, in 53 B.C.E., the Roman legions of Marcus Licinius Crassus on their doomed campaign in Parthia reported seeing wonderfully bright banners made of a marvelous, new textile.
Subsequent commercial and diplomatic ventures to the Ferghana valley failed to secure horses and so precipitated two full-scale Chinese invasions, the second of which in 102 B.C.E. succeeded in conquering all lands between China and the Ferghana Valley. The Chinese had secured not only horses but also foreign markets in which to sell their goods. Fifty or so years later, in 53 B.C.E., the Roman legions of Marcus Licinius Crassus on their doomed campaign in Parthia reported seeing wonderfully bright banners made of a marvelous, new textile.
Silk Road History
Rise, Height, Decline
Named in the middle of the 19th century by the German scholar, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, the Silk Road, which is regarded as the greatest East-West trade route, was first traveled by Zhang Qian when he was sent on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions in the Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The Silk Road was the information super highway of its age, serving as the conduit not only for goods but also for the transmission of knowledge and ideas between east and west.
The Rise of the Silk Road
The Silk Road originated in the 2nd century BC from a desire for military and political purpose instead of for trade. In order to seek allies to fight against Xiongnu's repeated invasion, a court official named Zhang Qian was sent by Han Wudi to the Western Regions. However, on the way to the Western Regions, the Xiongnu captured Zhang and detained him for ten years. Escaped from Xiongnu's detention, Zhang Qian continued his journey to the Central Asia. While at that time, the local rulers were satisfied with their status and refused to ally with Han Empire. Although the mission failed in its original purpose, the information Zhang Qian conveyed to China about Central Asia, and vice versa, made people in each area desire goods produced in the other. Silk that was favored by Persians and Romans, inaugurated the trade along the Silk Road.
While when the Silk Road was first established, silk was not the chief commodity. Han dynasty made very little profit from it until the Romans were fanatic about silk that the large profits came in. The Roams love silk so much that they even exchanged silk for its weight in gold. During the Tang dynasty, thirty percent of the trade on the Silk Road was comprised of silk.
Prosperous as it was, the operation of the Silk Road always be influenced by the political developments. A stable state could ensure the smooth trade on this road, while the troublous one would hurt. When Zhang Qian opened this road, the Han dynasty and the empire of Parthia in Persia just achieved their golden ages, which give a favorite financial support to the smooth development of this route.
The Height of the Silk Road
The fall of the Han dynasty in the early 3rd century once caused Silk Road trade to decline. However, the rise of the Tang dynasty in the 7th century revived this commerce and by the mid 8th century, the route reached its height.
The prosperity of this road should owe to many reasons. Based on the breakdown of earlier dynasties, the Tang dynasty especially thought well of the internal stability and economic development. Many favorable policies were carried out to stimulate and encourage the trade between the east and west, leading to the enlargement of the market and quick development of the trade on this road.
At the same time, with the spreading of various religions in the world range, more and more missionaries reached to the east in succession by this road. With the Silk Road acting as an information superhighway, the exchange of ideas grew to a larger scale than ever before. And as a result, the Tang dynasty fortunately experienced the best flourishing period of the Silk Road.
The Decline of the Silk Road
The fall of the Tang in the early 10th century gave a deathblow to the trade on the Silk Road. The trade on the road declined sharply till in the 13th century, when the conquests of the Mongols ushered in an era of frequent and extended contacts between East and West. This increased contact created a demand for Asian goods in Europe, a demand that eventually inspired the search for a sea route to Asia.
The discovery of a sea route from Europe to Asia in the late 15th century dealt a damaging blow to the Silk Road trade again. With less cost, harassment and danger, many goods and materials that the Silk Road could not transfer were conveyed through the sea route. Besides, the Persians had mastered the art of sericulture and the import of the silk from the East was reduced.
Since then, the prosperous Silk Road was on its downhill. The bustling streets, wealthy cities and solid ramparts now were submerged in the vast desert, and today, people can only trace their splendid history in the endless ruined and dilapidated remains.
Europe's Fascination With Silk
In only a few decades all the ruling families of Rome were anxious to attire themselves in silk. By 14 C.E. this had gotten so out of hand that the Emperor Tiberius, disgusted by the revelatory bulges of this light and delicate fabric, forbade all men from wearing it. Before long the mystery of silk's manufacture sucked Rome's intellectuals into a blazing fervor. Pliny affirmed that "silk was obtained by removing the down from the leaves with the help of water." Others countered that it grew like wool in the forest.
Its customers in a foment of wild curiosity, the prudent merchants of China made every effort to keep silk's manufacture a secret. Sericulture was limited to the far off hinterlands of Sichuan, away from the prying eyes and the "big noses" of venturesome foreigners. Border guards, placed on high alert, double-checked all foreigners' belongings.
Legion are the stories of silk smuggling. Some recount Persian monks disguising themselves as Christian missionaries, others describe English entrepreneurs stealing out of the country - with the wrong type of moth. The most romantic involves a young Chinese princess anxious to please her betrothed, the King of Yutian. When the King's envoy revealed to her his master's passion for silk, the princess resolved to smuggle the secret of silk to him.
A few days later the princess set off in a glittering cavalcade on her long journey westwards. Many days later, when they reached China's border at Dunhuang's Yumen Gate, her party was thoroughly inspected; even the princess' personal belongings were closely scrutinized, much to the displeasure of the king's envoy, Wei Chimu. After passing through the border gate, he approached the princess to inquire if she had succeeded in satiating his King's love of silk. Removing her crown, the princess revealed silk worms hidden in her hair. Amongst her medicines, she showed him the mulberry seeds she had hidden in plain sight. Pointing at her serving maids, she revealed that, "all women in the Central Plains know how to grow mulberry seeds and rear silk worms." Thus, it is said, did the secret of silk escape the confines of China.
The Rise of the Silk Road
The Silk Road originated in the 2nd century BC from a desire for military and political purpose instead of for trade. In order to seek allies to fight against Xiongnu's repeated invasion, a court official named Zhang Qian was sent by Han Wudi to the Western Regions. However, on the way to the Western Regions, the Xiongnu captured Zhang and detained him for ten years. Escaped from Xiongnu's detention, Zhang Qian continued his journey to the Central Asia. While at that time, the local rulers were satisfied with their status and refused to ally with Han Empire. Although the mission failed in its original purpose, the information Zhang Qian conveyed to China about Central Asia, and vice versa, made people in each area desire goods produced in the other. Silk that was favored by Persians and Romans, inaugurated the trade along the Silk Road.
While when the Silk Road was first established, silk was not the chief commodity. Han dynasty made very little profit from it until the Romans were fanatic about silk that the large profits came in. The Roams love silk so much that they even exchanged silk for its weight in gold. During the Tang dynasty, thirty percent of the trade on the Silk Road was comprised of silk.
Prosperous as it was, the operation of the Silk Road always be influenced by the political developments. A stable state could ensure the smooth trade on this road, while the troublous one would hurt. When Zhang Qian opened this road, the Han dynasty and the empire of Parthia in Persia just achieved their golden ages, which give a favorite financial support to the smooth development of this route.
The Height of the Silk Road
The fall of the Han dynasty in the early 3rd century once caused Silk Road trade to decline. However, the rise of the Tang dynasty in the 7th century revived this commerce and by the mid 8th century, the route reached its height.
The prosperity of this road should owe to many reasons. Based on the breakdown of earlier dynasties, the Tang dynasty especially thought well of the internal stability and economic development. Many favorable policies were carried out to stimulate and encourage the trade between the east and west, leading to the enlargement of the market and quick development of the trade on this road.
At the same time, with the spreading of various religions in the world range, more and more missionaries reached to the east in succession by this road. With the Silk Road acting as an information superhighway, the exchange of ideas grew to a larger scale than ever before. And as a result, the Tang dynasty fortunately experienced the best flourishing period of the Silk Road.
The Decline of the Silk Road
The fall of the Tang in the early 10th century gave a deathblow to the trade on the Silk Road. The trade on the road declined sharply till in the 13th century, when the conquests of the Mongols ushered in an era of frequent and extended contacts between East and West. This increased contact created a demand for Asian goods in Europe, a demand that eventually inspired the search for a sea route to Asia.
The discovery of a sea route from Europe to Asia in the late 15th century dealt a damaging blow to the Silk Road trade again. With less cost, harassment and danger, many goods and materials that the Silk Road could not transfer were conveyed through the sea route. Besides, the Persians had mastered the art of sericulture and the import of the silk from the East was reduced.
Since then, the prosperous Silk Road was on its downhill. The bustling streets, wealthy cities and solid ramparts now were submerged in the vast desert, and today, people can only trace their splendid history in the endless ruined and dilapidated remains.
Europe's Fascination With Silk
In only a few decades all the ruling families of Rome were anxious to attire themselves in silk. By 14 C.E. this had gotten so out of hand that the Emperor Tiberius, disgusted by the revelatory bulges of this light and delicate fabric, forbade all men from wearing it. Before long the mystery of silk's manufacture sucked Rome's intellectuals into a blazing fervor. Pliny affirmed that "silk was obtained by removing the down from the leaves with the help of water." Others countered that it grew like wool in the forest.
Its customers in a foment of wild curiosity, the prudent merchants of China made every effort to keep silk's manufacture a secret. Sericulture was limited to the far off hinterlands of Sichuan, away from the prying eyes and the "big noses" of venturesome foreigners. Border guards, placed on high alert, double-checked all foreigners' belongings.
Legion are the stories of silk smuggling. Some recount Persian monks disguising themselves as Christian missionaries, others describe English entrepreneurs stealing out of the country - with the wrong type of moth. The most romantic involves a young Chinese princess anxious to please her betrothed, the King of Yutian. When the King's envoy revealed to her his master's passion for silk, the princess resolved to smuggle the secret of silk to him.
A few days later the princess set off in a glittering cavalcade on her long journey westwards. Many days later, when they reached China's border at Dunhuang's Yumen Gate, her party was thoroughly inspected; even the princess' personal belongings were closely scrutinized, much to the displeasure of the king's envoy, Wei Chimu. After passing through the border gate, he approached the princess to inquire if she had succeeded in satiating his King's love of silk. Removing her crown, the princess revealed silk worms hidden in her hair. Amongst her medicines, she showed him the mulberry seeds she had hidden in plain sight. Pointing at her serving maids, she revealed that, "all women in the Central Plains know how to grow mulberry seeds and rear silk worms." Thus, it is said, did the secret of silk escape the confines of China.
Every links lead to silk
My silk products for your needs and pleasures
Silk Dedicated Store
Please visit my store:http://chinesesilk.ecrater.com/ for many different quality silk items.
All of these gorgeous Ladies 100% silk scarves are for sale HERE
Silk Bamboo Hand Made Asian Fans
Magnificent silk bamboo hand made asian fans, make sure you check them out HERE 100% Silk Hand Made Oriental Aubbson Rugs
Don't miss a chance to get one of these absolutely stunning silk hand made oriental aubbson rugs before they're gone! They can be found HERE Silk Shoe Bags or for other use
Make sure to protect your shoes or any other objects in these sublime flower embroidered silk shoe bags, THIS WAY PLEASE Silk Bottle Bags
If you're looking for full sets - bottle bags, table runners, coasters - to re-decorate your living-room don't go any further! I got'em HERE Silk Covered Embroidered Glasses Cases
Wondering where to safely leave your glasses? Afraid that your kids might step on them?Don't risk the expensive way to find out and go for the cheapest method HERE
This superb silk glasses case will make sure your glasses are in a safe place and your wallet will thank you.
Silk Embroidered Ladies Wallets
Talking wallets, here are the finest embroidered silk wallets you can ever find at very fair prices. The perfect way to carry your children/grand-children pictures with you at all times.GET ME NOW! Silk Flowers/Butterflies/Dragonflies Embroidered Coin Purses
You don't like wallets? That's fine, go for a purse then. Marvelous and quality silk flowers/butterflies/dragonflies multicolored embroidered coin purses. To view more of them, please click HERE Silk Embroidered Table Runners
Fancy a new interior decoration but don't know where to start? ------------------> Silk Covered Lipstick Boxes
Are you planning to go out for dinner or in a club? Don't forget the ladies lipstick's ultimate accessory: GRAB IT HERE!Mirror included, red inside.
Silk Embroidered Coasters
Like I previously said, you can find matching table runners and shoe bags in my store.To find out more about these beautiful coasters, follow the GUIDE, don't forget my tips at the end of the visit ;)
Silk Pets Scarves
Finally for you animal lovers, I brought you the almost perfect clothing accessory, for yourself or for a gift to a friend who loves pets and other animals. CLICK ME PLEASE My Other Silk Related Lenses
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- middle_kingdom middle_kingdom Dec 7, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
- Nice lens. You have a lot of helpful information on silk and the history of silk here. I'd love it if you'd drop by my lens and say hello when you have a chance.
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- SoundFinance SoundFinance Aug 19, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
- Lots of research gone into your lens. I love silk.
by chinesesilk
Hi! I'm an expat in Shanghai since september 2006. I opened an online store dedicated to silk products. (more)
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