The Road to Wealth

The “Silk Road” is the name given to a group of trade routes between the Mediterranean Sea and East Asia. A route is like a path or a road. The Silk Road had both land and sea routes. It covered more than 7,400 kilometres. 1________________ Can you imagine how long it would take to walk?

The Silk Road was used from around 200 BC to 1500 AD. However, it was named the ‘Silk Road’ not very long ago. A German scholar, Ferdinand von Richthofen gave the trade routes that name in 1877. 2___________

Where does the name come from?

Scholars say that the Romans first saw silk after defeating some enemies in 53 BC. They learned from prisoners that the silk came from the east. 3______________. The Romans sent their own agents out to explore the route east and try to buy silk at a lower price than the one set by their neighbours. For this reason, the trade route to the East was used by the Romans mainly to buy silk, although they also bought other goods.

Interesting Facts

The Romans did not know how silk was made. They thought the material for silk came from trees. 4_______________.

Also, Romans liked silk so much the government had to put a ban on it in 14 BC because it was ruining their economy. The ban didn’t work very well, though. People still bought silk anyway.