Who traveled on the Silk Road?

Who traveled on the Silk Road?

Famous Travelers on the Silk Road. In the history of the Silk Road, many renowned people left their footprints on this most historically important trade route, including eminent diplomats, generals and great monks, such as Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, Ban Yong and Fu Jiezi, Gan Ying, Xuanzang and Marco Polo.

What problems did the Silk Road have?

There were a few difficulties of traveling on the Silk Road. First, the geography of the route was sometimes difficult. Animals could slip of cliffs, and mountain passages were very narrow and dangerous to pass through.

Why did the silk road come to an end?

The speed of the sea transportation, the possibility to carry more goods, relative cheapness of transportation resulted in the decline of the Silk Road in the end of the 15th century. During the civil war in China the destroyed Silk Road once again played its big role in the history of China.

When did silk become popular?

It was only in the 13th century—the time of the Second Crusades—that Italy began silk production with the introduction of 2000 skilled silk weavers from Constantinople. Eventually silk production became widespread in Europe.

Who found the silk?

According to Chinese legend, Empress His Ling Shi was first person to discover silk as weavable fibre in the 27th century BC. Whilst sipping tea under a mulberry tree, a cocoon fell into her cup and began to unravel.

Why silk is expensive?

Silk is the epitome of luxury when it comes to fabric whether it’s for robes, sheets, or dresses. Silkworms spin cocoons that silk producers eventually unravel and join to create the thread. Silk production costs have gone up with the introduction of synthetic fabrics like polyester.

Why was the Silk Road so successful?

The Silk Road was a vast trade network connecting Eurasia and North Africa via land and sea routes. Advances in technology and increased political stability caused an increase in trade. The opening of more trade routes caused travelers to exchange many things: animals, spices, ideas, and diseases.

Which region benefited the most from the Silk Road trade?

India benefited from the Silk Road because it gave them new customers and new trade connections for their most valuable goods, especially spices.

Why did China keep silk a secret?

Silk became a prized export for the Chinese. Nobles and kings of foreign lands desired silk and would pay high prices for the cloth. The emperors of China wanted to keep the process for making silk a secret. Anyone caught telling the secret or taking silkworms out of China was put to death.

How did the secret of silk get out?

The West finally cracked the secret in 552 CE when the Byzantine emperor Justinian sent two Nestorian monks to central Asia. The monks hit the eggs in their hollow bamboo staves. The eggs hatched into worms which then spun cocoons.

Which country first made silk?

China

What is the favorite food of the silk worm?

mulberry leaves

What are the three grades of silk?

There are three types of silk produced in the region: mulberry, endi and tassar.