Ep 17. Silk Roads - Rome and Roads from the West

Silk Roads - Rome and Roads from the West is the 17th episode of the first season of Foundations of Eastern Civilization. The episode delves into the history of the Silk Roads, which were trade routes that connected Asia, Europe, and Africa in ancient times. The episode focuses specifically on the role that Rome and the West played in the development of these roads.

The episode begins by exploring the origins of the Silk Roads, which can be traced back to the Han dynasty in China. It then moves on to examine how these trade routes expanded in the centuries that followed, connecting China to the Roman Empire and beyond. Throughout this period, Rome became a key player in the trade networks of the Silk Roads. The Romans had a significant appetite for luxury goods from the East, such as silks, spices, and precious stones, which they imported from China and other parts of Asia.

The episode then explores how the Silk Roads facilitated the spread of ideas and innovations between East and West. One example of this is the transmission of Buddhism from India to China along the Silk Roads. The episode also looks at how the roads were used to transport technologies, such as paper and gunpowder, which originated in China but were eventually adopted by the West.

Throughout the episode, viewers are shown how various civilizations along the Silk Roads interacted with each other. For example, the episode explores the relationship between the Parthian Empire, a powerful state that stretched from Iran to Mesopotamia, and the Roman Empire. Despite being rivals, these two empires traded with each other along the Silk Roads and engaged in diplomatic relations.

The episode then turns to the decline of the Silk Roads in the centuries that followed. One factor in this decline was the rise of the Islamic Empire, which disrupted many of the trade routes of the Silk Roads. The episode explores how the Islamic Empire emerged as a new center of trade and innovation, ushering in a new era of economic and cultural exchange.

Overall, Silk Roads - Rome and Roads from the West offers a fascinating look at the role that Rome and the West played in the development of the Silk Roads. Through its exploration of trade, technology, and cultural exchange, the episode shines a light on a truly transformative period in world history.