Xinru Liu
Xinru Liu
Sassanids cause disruption and threaten silk road. - after Roman and Han empires collapse, Sassasinds become superpower of Eurasia. - Coins found - Textules. Empires fall a part. Culture of digging Oases to support agriculture and support city and travelers. Buddhism flourishes on silk road - see temples and statues and caves. Common themes of buddhist artwork human figures. objects of worship. represent stories of buddhas life. Buddhism mingled with Zoroastrian. Buddhism remains dominant. - monuments served as landmarks, monasteries hosted people. Sassanid Revival traders come from Sogdiana brief summary of what Connor said. 4th cent Sogdians move into Indus valley and leave mark. o Interest in Buddhism, shown by scratchings on rocks in Indus. This trade route is fundamental to the indian subcontinent. Expand network westward. By 6th cent, network reaches Europe. Sogdian influence - language popular for SR traders. - Musicians, dancers, textiles. Persian Gilded silver. - sign of prestige. - Spread to Chinese artisans. - Traders were probably still Sogdians.
Golden age of Sogdian cities lasts from 5th till 8th centuries. - wealth Byzantine Empire becomes largest consumer and producer for silk textiles (first developed in Beirut and Tyre). - purple silk of the emperor. - Silk used for hierarchical and diplomatic means. - Aggressive efforst by Justinian to secure silk dominance. Silk Trade encouraged by collapse of Han, and Buddhism. - China is key to silk supply. Centuries between Sui Empire and Han involve great change. - Steppes move into China. - That pushes Chinese further south. - Creates Northern Wei dynasty and southern dynasties. Buddhism takes root in China. Northern Dynasties luxury goods flow into China. Turks facilitate silk trade form China, new direction. 4th cent Sassanids lose control due to nomads. - Gupta dynasty rises in india. o agriculture rather than trade. Overall: Great political turmoil, impressive empires fall. Great migration. - but no longer do the trade routes need to rely on imperial protection, market forces allow routes to flourish. Great variety of goods seen from China to Europe. Silk very important.