The Silk Roads: Changing Perspectives: China and silk

Michael, a classicist, discusses the importance of understanding cultural connections, focusing on the Silk Roads. He explores the role of silk in Chinese culture, its trade, and its impact on foreign policy. Silk was both a common and luxury item in China, deeply intertwined with its history and identity. The trade of silk with nomadic tribes was crucial for diplomacy, though it was seen as both beneficial and potentially corrupting.

How did the perception of silk differ between Chinese society and nomadic tribes?

What were the implications of the silk trade on China's foreign policy during the Han dynasty?

What does the phrase 'hanging upside down' symbolize in the context of the relationship between the Han dynasty and nomadic tribes?