How Did The Silk Road Influence Trade

The Silk Road is one of the world’s greatest trading routes, the 6,500KM road linked ancient regions in commerce. The infamous trading route did more than just trade goods and food, it also helped spread many ideologies, cultures and religions. Once established as a major trading route expanding through much of Asia, The Middle East, into Europe and ending in Africa, trade flourished throughout the 3 continents. The Silk Road also motivated the Han military to create a breeding program for a bigger and faster horse, thus strengthening their military.

Tangible goods were greatly traded along this route, along with the spread of ideologies cultural and religious beliefs between Eastern and Western civilizations. Many Arab Muslims travelled along the Silk Road to spread the Islamic faith, additionally Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Nestorianism were introduced to China and parts of India. The spread of papermaking was also greatly influenced by the route along with silk, architecture, town planning and music. Actors even traveled along the trading route to perform in Constantinople spreading culture and art. Everyone that was participating during trade involving the Silk road was

Among his travels he ran into a group of people called the Dayuan who were decedents from Alexander the Greats army. The Dayuan had mighty horses that were faster and stronger than that of Emperor Wu’s army, thus Qian implemented a breeding system that created a superior breed of horse that was used for cavalry and chariots during warfare. With the implementation of this new breed of horse, the Han Dynasty defeated the Xiongnu, thus inspiring Emperor Wu to speculate what else could be gained through trade with the west through the Silk