Silk Road

The Travels of Marco Polo

1254 BCE

The Travels of Marco Polo was a book that paved the way for more travelers and people to travel the Silk Road. This log with important travel information was the main pathway for new Westerners to come along the Road.

Transportation Along the Road

1070 BCE

Horses began to be used along the Silk Road to make transportation easier and faster. The horses could also carry a heavier load than a human. These horses were usually used to carry delicate materials such as jade back to China.

Alexander the Great's Contribution

300 BCE

Alexander the Great conquered Greece, Egypt, the Persian Empire and Northern India. Along his way, he came across and looked at many cities which would later be beneficial to the success of the Silk Road

Romans

130 BCE

The Romans were right on the lines of the Silk Road, and citizens and the government attempted to increase communications between them with Persia and China. They began to trade and received art for their Roman style glassware.

The Beginning of the Silk Road

119 BCE

Zhang Qian worked to form peace in the Western Regions and worked to find common allies in the area. The Silk Road came about after this journey was complete.

Main Traders

119 BCE

The main traders and groups involved on the Silk Road were the Chinese, Arabs, Turkmens, Indians, Persians, Somalis, Greeks, Syrians, and Romans. The road stretched from China to Rome, so the Greeks and Syrians were able to participate because of the roads boundaries

Outside Trade

97 BCE

To expand the road, Gan Ying went on a mission to Rome to try and expand the boundaries of the silk road and establish a new trading partner, but he was stopped halfway there.

Feng Liao

74 BCE

Feng Liao was a strong mediator in the empire and communicated so that there would not be conflict. This allowed the road to flow more freely.