Nomadic and Settled Empires on the Silk Road: Interaction Patterns

Abstract

The article provides a comparison between mutual relations of the Han empire and the Xiongnu during the early stages of the Silk Road, and the Byzantium connections with the Mongol Empire during the last surge of activity on this trading artery. In order to understand how sedentary societies’ perception patterns of nomadic cattle herders changed over time (at the empire level), the authors have intentionally considered such a wide chronological timeframe. The Han dynasty ascended the throne almost at the same time as the beginning of Xiongnu rule, and despite the fact that they became significantly more powerful in economic terms and more densely populated, this did not extend to their military. The advantages however allowed China to gain the upper hand over a long time period, “appeasing” the Xiongnu (specific techniques are explained in the article). The Eastern Roman Empire at the time of the collision with the Mongols had already existed for a little less than a thousand years and had experienced a series of both victories and downfalls. Constantinople authorities could not compare with the power of Chingissids in terms of the number of troops, the size of territory and number of taxable subjects. However, unlike a number of Asian states, Byzantium survived not only the invasion of the Mongols, but also their presence in the Middle East in general. This paper gives an in-depth look at the mechanisms of how this became possible and the contributing role that was played by trans-Asian trade.