Classical Asia and the Silk Road
In South and East Asia, powerful empires and influential philosophies arose, linked to the West by trade routes known as the Silk Road.
Confucius and Chinese philosophy
During the turbulent Warring States period, Chinese thinkers sought ways to restore order. Confucius (551-479 BCE) emphasised moral rulers, education, filial piety (respect for parents and ancestors), and proper relationships. Daoism, associated with Laozi, emphasised harmony with the natural way (dao). Legalism stressed strict laws and harsh punishments.
The Qin dynasty
In 221 BCE, the Qin state unified China under Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor. He standardised writing, weights, measures, coins, and axle widths, began linking walls that became part of the Great Wall, and ruled by Legalist principles. He was buried with the famous Terracotta Army. The dynasty fell soon after his death.
The Han dynasty
The Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE) ruled a large, prosperous empire comparable to Rome. It adopted Confucianism as state ideology and began recruiting officials partly through examinations in Confucian texts. Han China developed paper (traditionally dated to about 105 CE), advanced metallurgy, and expanded trade and territory.
The Silk Road
The Silk Road was a network of overland and sea routes linking China, Central Asia, India, Persia, and the Mediterranean. Chinese silk, Indian spices and cotton, Roman glass and gold, horses, and much more travelled along it, mostly passed hand to hand by merchants. Religions (especially Buddhism), technologies, and diseases also spread along these routes.
The Maurya Empire and Ashoka
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire in India around 321 BCE. His grandson Ashoka, after a bloody conquest of Kalinga, converted to Buddhism and promoted non-violence, tolerance, and welfare, carving his edicts on pillars and rocks across the empire.
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, lived in northern India around the fifth century BCE. He taught the Four Noble Truths (life involves suffering, suffering comes from craving, it can end, and the Eightfold Path leads to its end) and the goal of nirvana. Buddhism spread across Asia, partly along the Silk Road, developing Theravada and Mahayana branches.
The Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire (about 320-550 CE) is often called India's classical or golden age. Indian mathematicians developed the decimal place-value system with zero (later transmitted to the Islamic world and Europe as 'Arabic numerals'), and astronomer Aryabhata calculated pi accurately and proposed that Earth rotates. Hinduism flourished, along with Sanskrit literature and art.
Worked example
A bolt of Chinese silk leaving Chang'an in 100 CE might pass through Central Asian oasis cities such as Samarkand, be traded by Parthian merchants in Persia, and finally be sold in Rome, where it was a luxury that Roman writers complained drained gold from the empire. Few, if any, merchants travelled the whole route; goods moved through many hands.
Key takeaways
Confucianism stressed moral order and filial piety; Daoism harmony with nature; Legalism strict law. The Qin unified China in 221 BCE and standardised much. The Han adopted Confucianism, began exams, and invented paper. The Silk Road carried goods, religions, and diseases across Eurasia. Ashoka of the Maurya Empire promoted Buddhist values. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths. The Gupta Empire advanced mathematics, including zero and decimal place value.
Flashcard
551-479 BCE
Check your understanding
Which empire first unified China in 221 BCE and standardised writing and weights?