The Silk Road

By williamwinter7
  • 3000 BCE

    Silk is Created in China

    Silk is Created in China
    China breeds silkworms and creates the first instance of silk. It was first used at the time for wrapping the body of a child. It later progressed to being used for art, clothing, and decorations.
  • 138 BCE

    Han Dynasty Trade Expedition

    Han Dynasty Trade Expedition
    Han Emperor Wu the Great sends his emissary Zhang Qian to the west, initiating commerce.
  • 130 BCE

    The Silk Road Begins

    The Silk Road Begins
    The Silk Road is officially opened.
  • 129 BCE

    Parthians conquer Mesopotamia.

    Parthians conquer Mesopotamia.
    Parthians conquer Mesopotamia. The Silk Road to China is now controlled by the Parthians.
  • 100 BCE

    Rome Discovers Silk

    Rome Discovers Silk
    Chinese silk comes to Rome. Silk grows in popularity as a product of luxury.
  • 100

    Buddhism Arrives in China

    Buddhism Arrives in China
    Buddhist monks arrive in Central Asia and China and begin to preach the new religion.
  • 400

    Silk Production is Leaked

    Silk Production is Leaked
    Silkworm eggs are believed to be smuggled out of China by a Chinese princess. Silkworms are exposed to other parts of the world allowing other countries to produce silk on their own.
  • 1200

    Genghis Khan and Pax Mongolica

    Genghis Khan and Pax Mongolica
    Genghis Khan unites the Mongols and begins conquests and takes control of the Silk Road. Effectively connecting and easing communication between the East and West, the Silk Road prospers under the time period now known as Pax Mongolica (latin for "Mongol Peace").
  • 1271

    Marco Polo

    Marco Polo
    Venetian explorer, Marco Polo journeys from Italy to China along the Silk Road, ultimately reaching Kublai Khan's court. Later composes an account of his experiences, in his book, The Travels of Marco Polo, giving Europeans a better understanding of Asian commerce and culture.
  • 1300

    The Black Death

    The Black Death
    The Black Plague spreads throughout Europe via the Silk Road, killing an estimated 75 million - 200 million. The Yuan dynasty ends and Ming dynasty begins.
  • 1400

    The Silk Road Declines

    The Silk Road Declines
    China closes its doors to foreigners. Lyon in France now emerges as the new centre for silk trade and travel along the Silk Road greatly declines.
  • 1479

    The Rise of Maritime Trade

    The Rise of Maritime Trade
    A Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, leads a fleet of four ships from Portugal, around Africa to India, and back. Europe begins to shift towards sea trade, causing further decline in the Silk Road.