Salvete Omnes,
when you are interested in the Central Asia history, from the hunter gatherers to the end of the nomadic empires, the story of old Silk Roads is probably one of the more engaging subjects.
Transporting silk and woven textiles, gold, Chinese ceramics etc in exchange for steppe-bred horses was the traditional way of exchange between the ancient nomads and the Chinese civilization, the Tang Dynasty period being the most intriguing, with the Sogdian merchants playing the pivotal role. The Christian Nestorian creed spread into the steppe and into China through the Silk Roads routes, later Islam as well, and Buddhism too, while the Zoroastrian refugees from Persia found heaven in Tang China. The Turkish and Mongol conquests started along the Silk Roads. Tea was spread through the Silk Roads and so on. The Silk Roads linked Western Asia, especially the Persian empires and the Chinese empires, resulting in many beautiful works of art and ideas.
the new issue 1-2 (2026) of the Journal of the Silk Roads
is available on the Brill's site for download.
My most favorite book on the subject still is 'Golden Peaches of Samarkand'(1962) by Edward Schafer.
one aspect of the Silk Roads was the Tea Horse Road, perhaps more about its Muscovy connection more in the future.
valete
