Silk Road's Ten Dominant Cities: From Chang'an to Constantinople
From 202 BC to the 15th century, transcontinental trade between Europe and Asia was dominated by ten significant urban centers. Chang'an, a metropolis with a population exceeding one million, was known for its foreign goods markets. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, constructed in AD 652 by the monk Xuanzang, stands as a landmark. Following Emperor Wu's triumph over the Xiongnu in 121 BC, Dunhuang emerged as a commercial center, where the Diamond Sutra was uncovered in 1907. Kashgar linked Central Asia to China, while Samarkand, established 2,750 years ago, flourished despite various invasions. By the 12th century, Merv was a strong competitor but was devastated in 1221. Ctesiphon, taken in AD 637, showcased the Taq Kasra arch. Palmyra was lost in AD 273, and Damascus became the capital of the Umayyad dynasty. In AD 330, Constantinople was renamed. Currently, China's Belt and Road Initiative affects more than 60 nations.
Key facts
- Chang'an had over a million inhabitants at its height and was among the world's largest cities.
- The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in AD 652 to safeguard Buddhist sutras brought by Xuanzang.
- Dunhuang was the first major gateway for Buddhism entering the East; the Diamond Sutra was discovered there in 1907.
- Kashgar was central to the 'Great Game' between England, Russia, and China.
- Samarkand was founded around 2,750 years ago and conquered by Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Timur.
- Merv was razed in 1221 by Tolui's army after the Mongol envoy was killed.
- Ctesiphon's Taq Kasra arch is the tallest single-span brick vault in the world, rising about 100 feet.
- Palmyra was destroyed by Rome in AD 273; a catacomb linked to Queen Zenobia was found in 1957.
- Damascus processed Chinese silk by AD 115 and used wootz steel from India for metallurgy.
- Constantinople was renamed in AD 330 and became Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in 1453.
Entities
Artists
- Xuanzang
- Zhu Fahu
- Lezun
- Alexander the Great
- Genghis Khan
- Timur
- Tamerlane
- Roxanne
- Zoroaster
- Rumi
- Queen Zenobia
- Tolui
- Emperor Wu
- Khosrow I
- Gustav Bauernfeind
- Leonid Andronov
- Bernard Gagnon
Institutions
- TheCollector
- Dunhuang Academy
- Getty
- SOAS University
- Christie's
- History.com
- Smithsonian Magazine
- Alamy
- CGTN News
- The Telegraph
- Adventurous Travels
- HistoryArchive.org
- Unsplash
- Gale
Locations
- Chang'an
- Xi'an
- China
- Dunhuang
- Gansu
- Kashgar
- Xinjiang
- Samarkand
- Uzbekistan
- Balkh
- Afghanistan
- Mazar-i-Sharif
- Balkh River
- Merv
- Mary
- Turkmenistan
- Karakum Desert
- Ctesiphon
- Salman Pak
- Iraq
- Baghdad
- Tigris
- Palmyra
- Tadmur
- Syria
- Syrian Desert
- Damascus
- Mount Qasioun
- Barada
- Constantinople
- Istanbul
- Türkiye
- Ankara
- Black Sea
- Mediterranean
- Persian Gulf
- Asia
- Europe
- India
- Iran
- Greece
- Italy
- Spain
- New Lanzhou
- Wuwei
- Khorgas
- Aktau
- Kazakhstan
- Gwadar
- Pakistan
- Anaklia
- Georgia
- Duisburg
- Germany
- Rotterdam
- Netherlands
- Taklamakan Desert
- Gobi Desert
- Alai Mountains
- Hexi Corridor