
The Silk Road - Where East and West First Met
From The Thinking Traveller by Academy Travel
November 15, 2025 · 29 min
About this episode
This episode explores the historical significance of the Silk Road as a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange between the East and West.
Linking the Far East with the Mediterranean world, the Silk Road became history’s most influential crossroads, shaping civilisations through trade, diplomacy and cultural encounter. From the imperial courts of China to the bustling markets of Rome, artistic, religious and cultural currents travelled these pathways – silk and spices, of course, but also ideas, technologies and beliefs. In this episode, we are joined by accomplished author, lecturer and cultural specialist Chris Aslan. Drawing ...
People in this episode
Guest: Chris Aslan
Topics covered
- Silk Road
- cultural exchange
- trade
- history
- civilizations
- art
- diplomacy
Keywords
- Silk Road
- trade
- cultural encounter
- China
- Rome
- civilizations
- artistic currents
- diplomacy
- ideas
- technologies
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Silk Road, Far East, Mediterranean, China, Rome
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