Zhang Qian: The Explorer Who Opened the Silk Road — Fexingo History

Failed to add items

Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping basket is already at capacity.

Add to cart failed.

Please try again later

Add to wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Remove from wishlist failed.

Please try again later

Follow podcast failed

Unfollow podcast failed

Zhang Qian: The Explorer Who Opened the Silk Road — Fexingo History

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

Long before Marco Polo, a Chinese diplomat named Zhang Qian ventured into the unknown in 138 BCE on a mission for Emperor Wu of Han. Captured by the Xiongnu, he spent a decade as a prisoner before escaping and continuing westward to Bactria and the Ferghana Valley. His reports on the 'blood-sweating' horses of Dayuan, the kingdoms of the Yuezhi and Parthia, and the routes to India and Persia transformed China's understanding of the world. This episode explores Zhang Qian's harrowing journey, his diplomatic failures and intelligence successes, and how his travels laid the groundwork for the Silk Road. We discuss the political context of the Han-Xiongnu conflict, the legendary Ferghana horses that became a military obsession, and the lasting impact of Zhang Qian's 'Western Regions' reports on trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange between East and West.

#ZhangQian #HanDynasty #EmperorWuofHan #SilkRoad #Xiongnu #Dayuan #FerghanaHorses #Bactria #Yuezhi #Shiji #SimaQian #Parthia #Shule #Kashgar #History #FexingoHistory #AncientExploration #CentralAsia #MongolEmpire #TangDynasty

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/silk-road-empires-trade-routes-that-built-civilization-fexingo-history--6985418/support.

No reviews yet