Question 1 – The Silk Road
The Silk Road is thought to have been pioneered by Zhang Qian who chose to open well known ancient trade roads. Between 139 BC and 119 BC, he traveled bring with him massive amounts of data about Western Asia and Central Asia. Originally thought to be termed as such by German geographer Ferninand on Richthoten during the 1870s, the Silk Road was not actually one single road but a series of routes, treks and trips throughout Central Asia, as East met North; the major players in this new intra-territorial and overseas ventures were the Mediterranean, Greece and Asia (Waugh, 2002). As such the plans had been set for China and Western authorities to begin, continue and bring forth the interchange of religions, economies and cultures (Famous Travels on the Silk Road, n.d.). Though well-known, the Silk Road has come to mean the way the Ancient Asian agrarian based regions communicated with and develop social and economic ties with the new Western European countries. Though not often cited however is the “trans-civilization” exchanges which underscored the relations between Afro-Eurasian lands with pastoralists and woodland foragers; hence, unifying trade into a systematic infrastructures as a way to exchange goods, products and most importantly ideas (David, 2000, pp. 2).
During both the periods of Han China and T’ang China Asia played dominant roles in the interesting explorations conducted by both and what would become the interactions of the Western World and the vastly different – and for explorers – intriguing Afro-Eurasians (Famous Travels on the Silk Road, n.d.). Thy Han Dynasty ruled between 206 BCE-220CE ruled for over four decades and it has been said that it’s only major rival was the Roman Empire (Violatti, 2013). All future Chinese dynasties considered the Han Empire to be a unique era where a flourishing of interchangeable ideas, politics, technology and especially the arts came to the fore. T’ang T’ai-Tsung (627-649 AD) we well recognition of organizational a government based on structural institutions, with the Emperor as its chief architect (The Chinese Empire, The T'ang, 618-907 AD, n.d.). New chancelleries were established such as those organization themselves into distinct lines of responsibilities. These included that of the military, political and international / diplomatic establishments.
Question 2 - The Great Traveler Marco Polo
The scholarly argument as to whether or not Marco Polo actually travel to China, or if in jail during wars between intra-Italian territories, Marco Polo attempted to gain his release by writing about China, a civilization so technologically advanced and filled with unimaginable riches that were impossible to ignore (The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Part 1, n.d). But could Marco Polo’s travels truly existed or was his book written by that of one with an unbound able imagination. Some say that an imaginary journey is all he took. His book, “Journey to Cathay” initially began during the early part of the first century BC. Dynastic Han China in the East Imperial Rome the West, existed with neither knowing much about the other. However, in Mesopotamian 53 BC Roman legions were at war with the Parthian Empire; this empire existed in what is known as Iran and Iraq. It also existed at the crossroads of the Roman Empire, the Han Empire in China and the emerging powers of the Mediterranean. During this battle, the Parthian’s famously released flags made of translucent material – silk – the types of which the Romans had never seen before; consequently fleeing the battle and leaving thousands of dead in their wake. Silk soon, however, became worth more than gold. Though 5000 miles away from each other China and Rome soon established a series of routes, treks and passageways; along its side roads cities and villages arose in response to these new traveling mercantilists’ needs. However, by the 10th century China collapsed, and it was no longer safe to travel to such parts of the East. By 1254, Marco Polo was born in Italy, orphaned at an early age, he learned skills that would serve him well along his travels, such as the ability to get a long with all types of people. His father, re-appeared in Marco Polo’s life after a 14 year absence. An absence Marco Polo’s father explained consisted of exotic adventures, people and customs. He spoke to his son about the Mongolian foreigners and indicated that during his 14 years of adventures, had visited Cathay - modern day China (The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Part 2, n.d.). Marco Polo’s father revealed that he had risen to power and be in favor of the leader, Kublai Khan. And because of Kublai Khans favor, they would be able to establish trade routes between two of the richest nations at the time.
In 1271 AD Marco Polo as a merchant sets out for a 5000 overland journey where the old Silk Road had once existed. During his journey, Marco Polo traversed territories which are now Iran and Afghanistan, during his trek, Marco Polo endured altitudes averaging 19,000 to 20,000 feet high and frostbite during his trek through the Pamir Mountain Ranges. After seeing refuge in local villages Marco Polo entered a desert with dunes up to 1,000 feet high and 600 miles and temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. At this point his story takes a dramatic turn from, did he really reach Kublai Khan, did he really make it to China or did he at this point in writings take the stories of others and made it his own. The According to Polo he had conquered the Yangtze River and had made it to China. But at this point his story turns to bizarre animal headed people and fish which could bow on command.
Interestedly he did not write so much about the Chinese, but mostly of the Mongols depicts assassination of a local leader. Other inconsistencies include facts that were historically incorrect; polo did not write the book itself but to his jail mate, who was a writer of artificial stories. Defiant until his deathbed, he died a rich man surrounding by doubters. His book became inspiration for new explorers such as Christopher Columbus. Ultimately, becoming the most famous explorer his dream of existing china west Silk Road once again faded into the past as yet another the Chinese government dissolved. The subject as to whether Marco Polo did or did not reach China, undoubtedly will continue to be scrutinized, studied by scholars, history analysts and international relations experts.
Question 3 – Legacy of the Swedish Explorer, Sven Hedin
It was in Berlin during his University years, that Swedish Explorer Sven Hedin first became determined to be an explorer and he fixated his interests on Central Asia. Discovered lost cities of Asia, and the long sought thought lost villages and cities. He claimed his fame and was considered a legend in exploration science. His dream of fame and adulation would always become his a centric foundation of his human character. Seeking fame, in 1893 Hedin gained funding from the king of Sweden to establish an exploration expedition along the old Silk Road. In 1894. The Taklamakan Desert proved to be quite the foe, with its’ 1000 foot high dunes and temperatures reaching over 130 degrees during summer heat. Heartbroken after learning of his love’s impending marriage to another man, Hedin embarked on a stubborn journey – or what others thought was a death march. Unafraid of death that might be its result Hedin led his expedition through the wicked desert sand storms of the Taklamakan Desert. In Hedin in 1914 headed to the front lines of War World I, as a German war correspondent; believing, like many Swedes believed only Germany could save Sweden from the Russians. However, after the end of WWI, many countries such as Britain and France retracted the medals and other honors they had bestowed upon him during his various explorations. But Hedin conquered on, ignoring the past and mapping new roads and highways which were the foundation for the East and West Overland Highway, 5000 miles from Peking all the way to the end. However, Hedin attracted not just adulation, he also attracted to the attention of Adolf Hitler (The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Parts 4. n.d.). Always an attention seeker, Hedin believed the Nazi’s as honorable, organized, noteworthy and admirable. Even after the end of War World II with Germany’s atrocities vividly displayed to the world, Hedin refused to acknowledge them and became a symbol of much indignation and ill-refute. No longer seeking the limelight, Hedi chose to write about his travels and died in his sleep in 1955 at the age of 87.
Question 4 - The three expeditions of the Hungarian-British archeologist Sir Aurel Stein
Works Cited
Christian, David. (2000). Silk roads or steppe roads? The silk roads in world history. Journal of world history, 11(1), 1-26.
“Sir Aurel Stein, Hungarian-British Archeologist.” n.d. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web.
“Famous Travels on the Silk Road,” n.d. Travel China Guide. Retrieved 20 April 2016 from https://www.travelchinaguide.com/silk-road/history/famous-travelers.htm.
“The Chinese Empire, The T'ang, 618-907 AD,” n.d. Retrieved 21 April 2016 from
http://richard-hooker.com/sites/worldcultures/CHEMPIRE/TANG.HTM.
“The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Part 1.” n.d. Retrieved 21 April 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQTI5mdZxEM&playnext=1&list=PL927583FEEDE05644.
“The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Part 2.” n.d. Retrieved 21 April 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ7nt-svnqs&feature=autoplay&list=PL927583FEEDE05644&index=3&playnext=2
“The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Part 3.” n.d. Retrieved 21 April 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swVDu48JdD4&feature=autoplay&list=PL927583FEEDE05644&index=4&playnext=3
“The Silk Road made by National Geographic, Parts 4.” n.d. Retrieved 21 April 2016 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN1hHYO-pjo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Violatti, Cristian, 27 May 2013. “Han Dynasty Definition.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Web.
Waugh, Daniel C., 2020. Wednesday University Lectures
