I found it interesting to read that..

I found it interesting to read that the “Silk Roads provided a certain unity and coherence to Eurasian history alongside the distinct stories of its separate civilizations and peoples”(Strayer, p. 284). Although there was indirect trading by pastoral peoples that linked the Eurasian civilizations “in a network of transcontinental exchange” Silk Road trading networks were more successful when large and powerful states provided security for merchants and travelers. The world of trade is interesting to me as it shows how the economy was /is established and sustained (although sometimes at the expense of the poor). The variety of luxurious goods were transported via camel caravans “that traversed the harsh and dangerous steppes, deserts and oases of Central Asia” (Strayer, p. 284). Out of all the luxury products that were being transported, silk became the most important and symbolized the Eurasian network of exchange. Silk was used as currency symbolizing wealth especially in China and the Byzantine empire. It is amazing how silk is to this day expensive.