The Silk Road’s ancient trade routes allowed for cultural and material trade throughout the Mediterranean to East Asia. Xinru Liu’s The Silk Road in World History exemplifies the complex exchange of commodities and ideas between different nations and peoples. Starting with the Chinese looking west and ending with the Mongol conquest. Liu’s focus gives the reader examples of specific historic events that were only able to take place because of this intricate trade network. This paper will examine the cultural, religious, and economic impact horses, camels, and roads had on the Silk Road. Exemplifying interactions between east and west civilizations through trade. Movement west by the Chinese was made possible by horseback riding. Allowing
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During the time of Kushan reign, the state-controlled mostly Hellenistic states (Liu 44). With Greek culture being influenced by horses and camels, it is evident that these animals had an impact on Kushan trade and culture. Such as, “Kushan kings retained their steppe-style robes and trousers which sustained their prestige as horse-riding archers” (Liu 44). Kings dressing up in the attire of skilled horseman showed the importance horses had on Kushan culture. Buddhist faith was also a large part of Kushan culture. A coin with one of the earliest known picture of the Buddha depicts the Buddha in a posture of steppe people who spent copious amounts of time on horseback (Liu 48). Buddha was the great Divine being that was the god of the Kushan empire, so, to have him depicted in the stance of a horseback rider exemplifies the great importance of horses to Kushan culture. As well, because of the location of the Kushan empire, the Empire had influence over steppe and oases roads in the Asian Silk Road (Liu 48). These trade routes allowed for the Kushan Empire to profit from trade that occurred in Central Asian territory that was under their control. Kushan influence also reached south into India and East into China. Expanding Buddhist teachings throughout trade routes on the Silk
During the time of Kushan reign, the state-controlled mostly Hellenistic states (Liu 44). With Greek culture being influenced by horses and camels, it is evident that these animals had an impact on Kushan trade and culture. Such as, “Kushan kings retained their steppe-style robes and trousers which sustained their prestige as horse-riding archers” (Liu 44). Kings dressing up in the attire of skilled horseman showed the importance horses had on Kushan culture. Buddhist faith was also a large part of Kushan culture. A coin with one of the earliest known picture of the Buddha depicts the Buddha in a posture of steppe people who spent copious amounts of time on horseback (Liu 48). Buddha was the great Divine being that was the god of the Kushan empire, so, to have him depicted in the stance of a horseback rider exemplifies the great importance of horses to Kushan culture. As well, because of the location of the Kushan empire, the Empire had influence over steppe and oases roads in the Asian Silk Road (Liu 48). These trade routes allowed for the Kushan Empire to profit from trade that occurred in Central Asian territory that was under their control. Kushan influence also reached south into India and East into China. Expanding Buddhist teachings throughout trade routes on the Silk