David Christian, a historian of Russian history and world scholar, proposed an idea on the ecological aspects of the Silk Road’s promotion of trade. Silk Roads and Steppe Roads presents a compelling view of the role the Silk Road played in the establishment and preservation of the unity of Afro-Eurasian history. The Silk Road existed long before ships, trains and aircraft were invented to move goods between different areas. The Silk Road was a network that combined trading routes through Europe, Asia, Africa. This was the first major trade route. Christian’s central claim is that “both civilisation and ecological trades have created a unity that was largely ignored in history.”
Christian’s thesis considers three aspects in order to understand this unity. The silk roads were created in prehistory and their function was changed during the classical age. In addition, the routes have expanded into North Europe in the last thousand-years. Christians believe in a ‘world’ that has a common Afro Eurasian exchange history. This includes religion, culture, goods and people. This is explained by He saying that the Silk Road was a series trans-ecological trades that connected different ecological zones within the Afro Eurasian landmass to create a single system. It was evident that ecological factors were a major factor in deepening trade. Silk roads are built across desert and barren steppes, which were inhabited pastoralists. These ecological borders created demand for trade because people in different environments needed different goods. Most of the goods traded were made on steppe land while some of the agricultural products were exported to steppes. These products demonstrated the importance of trade in the Afroeurasian region.
Christian also states that Silk Roads are natural sea- and land routes that connect agricultural communities. They allow for exchanges of ideas, products, and religion. Christian also views the Steppe roads connecting Eurasian agriculture. These were created by the commercial bartering of goods from pastoral or agricultural regions.
A new understanding of Silk Roads’ history and role shows that the whole Afroeurasian landmass is linked by intricate networks of exchange. This is in contrast to what was thought previously. Christian clearly reminds us of the common history of Afro-Eurasian, despite all its cultural and ecological differences. His explanation that trade took place over steppes and not roads helps us to see that these ecological settlements are still well-off, even though they are far from the main inland cities.
Christian’s thoughts on the Silk Road/Steppe Road have helped me see that many historical views and histories regarding the establishment or continuation of the Silk Road are often misrepresented. Christian’s view that the history of Silk Road is much more complicated than was originally believed, I agree. The Silk Road’s establishment date is not known.
Although the name “Silk Road” was not directly related to the silk trade, it was interesting. Robert Strayer believed that silk roads were used as a way to connect different cultures and economies. Christian’s article contains the most important evidence. Christian explains that Silk Roads were built upon arid steppes. They are desert lands in which Afro-Eurasia’s various regions have exchanged ideas for centuries.
Christian’s article demonstrates that historical facts can be misrepresented and that there is much more to the history. Both Christian’s and Strayer’s ideas are important in understanding the history. Both authors believed that Silk Road was the main route through which many commodities such as silk, gold, and silver were transported and exchanged. Strayer is more concerned with the negative aspects of Silk Road, citing the possibility of disease spreading through traveller contact with animals, foreigners, and people from other hemispheres. Christian, however, is more concerned with the ecological aspects.
Strayer describes the devastating effects that death has had on these regions due to the multitude of diseases that infected them and the large number of deaths that occurred. The bubonic disease, which struck between 534 and 775 BCE, was one of the most fatal diseases. It had devastatingly affected the Mediterranean Sea’s coasts. 9 Christians focused on the ecological issues of the Silk Road and embraced Strayer’s belief that disease spreads because there are unfortunate illnesses. “Afroeurasian communities were ill due to their livestock exchanges and diseases that they shared.”
Strayer’s views about the spread and prevention of diseases are limiting. Christian sees all aspects of the Silk Road as cultural successes, but also recognizes that it was not a major commercial route. While the Silk Road is important historically, it is important to remember that Afro-Eurasian’s entire land mass was connected by intricate networks.
Cites
Is the Silk Road the same thing as the Steppe Road, or are they two different routes? The Silk Roads in World History,” Journal of World History 11, No. 1 (Spring 2000): 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1353/jwh.2000.0004
Robert W. Strayer. Ways of the World. 2, From 1500 to Present. 3rd edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.
