The Silk Road

The Han court sends Zhang Qian to seek allies against the Xiongnu; he spends thirteen years on the road, falls into captivity, but returns with an account of rich lands in the west — Ferghana, Bactria, Parthia. After the embassies come the caravans: silk goes west, and glass, horses and gemstones come east. No single merchant travels the whole road; goods change hands through the oases of Central Asia. Along with the freight move faiths, diseases and crafts: by this road Buddhism will reach China, and in Rome silk will become a luxury and a target for moralists.