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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. -
Han Emperor Wu the Great sends his emissary Zhang Qian to the west, initiating commerce. -
The Silk Road is officially opened. -
Parthians conquer Mesopotamia. The Silk Road to China is now controlled by the Parthians. -
Chinese silk comes to Rome. Silk grows in popularity as a product of luxury. -
Buddhist monks arrive in Central Asia and China and begin to preach the new religion. -
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. -
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"). -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.