DSBcB47 Empires along the Silk Road

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Natálie Gottvaldová (lecturer)
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc. (alternate examiner)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Natálie Gottvaldová
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of this course will be to explore the route that connected China, Central Asia, India, Persia, Anatolia to the Mediterranean area. Using archaeological and textual materials, we will explore the role of mutual contacts, the spread of material and spiritual culture, and especially the individual empires that formed and developed a trade route along the Silk Road.
Learning outcomes
Analyze and critically evaluate the strong interconnection of ancient civilizations, including lesser-known empires in the Silk Road region;
Prove an understanding of the main themes and identify important historical connections across the areas where the Silk Road passed;
Improving the geographical overview and expanding the knowledge of material and immaterial culture in the context of regional and interregional exchanges.
Syllabus
  • The essence of the Silk Road and its importance at present – efforts to revive it
  • Why and how the Silk Road was traded
  • The Rise of trade during the Han Dynasty
  • Silk Road in China Region
  • Central Asia – Nomadic Empires
  • The northern route of the Silk Road
  • Empires of the Bactria
  • Silk Road - Arabian Peninsula
  • Spread of religions on the Silk Road
  • Other Silk routes and their importance
  • Art and knowledge transfer on the Silk Road
  • Why the Silk Road trade ended
Literature
  • TUCKER, Jonathan. The Silk Road : Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran : a travel companion. Edited by Paul Theroux. First published. London: I.B. Tauris, 2015, xvi, 220. ISBN 9781780769257. info
  • BECKWITH, Christopher I. Empires of the Silk Road : a history of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the present. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2009, 472 s. ISBN 9780691150345. info
  • UHLIG, Helmut. Hedvábná stezka. 1. vyd. Praha: Encyklopedický dům, 2000, 154 s. ISBN 8086044149. info
  • DREGE, Jean-Pierre and Emil M. BÜHRER. Hedvábná cesta. Translated by Dušan Andrš. Vyd. 1. Praha: Grafoprint-Neubert, 1997, 287 s. ISBN 80-85785-50-1. info
Teaching methods
Lectures, workshop, presentation, discussion.
Assessment methods
Activity in class, completion of partial exercises, presentation, final test (the test will consist of 20 questions - minimum for passing 60% correct answers).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/DSBcB47