Potential Silk Road Questions
• Analyze continuities and changes in trade
networks and cross cultural encounters
between 200 CE and 800 CE in one of the
following regions.
East Asia
Middle East
Europe
Potential Silk Road Questions
• Analyze similarities and differences between
the response to commerce and cross-cultural
interactions in any two of these areas
between 400 CE and 900 CE.
Potential Silk Road Questions
• Analyze similarities and differences between
the diffusion of Buddhism from its origins to
700 CE and the diffusion of Christianity from
its origins to 700 CE. Be sure to discuss how
each religion gained followers as it diffused.
• C: The most recent research suggest a serious
plague outbreak in China during the early
1300’s. The plague devastated areas impacted
by it.
• D shows a Buddhist shrine in Hellenistic,
Indian, and Chinese artistic styles. Clothes
draped in the Hellenistic style, Indian poses
and Chinese facial features.
• c: Archaeologists have found evidence of trade
in luxury goods, such as Chinese silks and
Roman glass, though there is no evidence of
direct political contact between Rome and
Han states.
• C is the only statement that is not true of both
religions. Buddha presented himself as an
enlightened teacher, though later some
worshipped him. Christians didn’t universally
accept the divinity of Jesus until after his
death.
• B: the map shows trade patterns persistent in
the Indian Ocean Basin between 600-1450 CE.
This trade encouraged the growth of urban
centers along the coasts of East Africa, Arabia,
Persia, India, and China
• B: knowledge of currents and wind patterns
accumulated in both trading regions.
Knowledge of Monsoon patters enabled the
trade routes in the eastern Indian Ocean to
develop in the classical period. Navigational
tools spread amongst Arab, Asian, and
European societies.
• B: Diffusion of technology and science
generally accompanied the growth of AfroEurasian trade during this period.
Mathematical innovations like zero and the
decimal system originated in South Asia and
spread to the Middle East where they were
adopted and spread to Europe.