Response 3

What made silk such a highly desired commodity across Eurasia?

                Silk became the symbol of the Eurasian exchange system, currency, and wealth. For instance in China and the Byzantine Empire, silk was considered a “symbol of high status.” However, the government took the upper hand prohibited all elite personals from wearing silk which made silk a high profiling item. Silk also played a huge role in the Buddhism and Christianity. The Chinese Buddhist monks would take large piles of silk into the Indian monasteries as gifts in exchange to seek religious text and relics. The Christianity world also used the silk in wall art and alter coverings as a sign of “high prestigious sign of devotion and piety. It can pretty much be summed up that silk was seen as an item of high status and in high demand to the elite world. It became a high desired commodity due to it can separate those of high honors to the regular commoners. Silk was in high demand that farmers in China started to stop their farming of crops and focuses more on producing silk. 

What was the impact of disease along the Silk Roads?

Following the riches of silk, came the many deaths during the trades. Diseases that came to view were smallpox, measles, and the bubonic plaque that attached itself to the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. By having all of these diseases appearing it made both empires weak and their political collapse. In exchange this brought the strengthen of the Christianity in Europe and Buddhism in China, which both religions offered consideration in the moment of massive suffering, This gave followers hope and faith that they will all get through this period of death and sickness. The Silk Road became the center of exchanging diseases from different travelers, traders, and merchants. This impacted the Silk Road because when these trades go back to their home country they have brought a disease with them that will cause an epidemic which caused a weakened defensive line. For instance the Byzantine Empire was "losing 10,000 people per day during a forty day period." This made the Byzantine weak by numbers and unable to conquer other areas such as Italy.

In what ways did China participate in the world of Eurasian  commerce and exchange, and with what outcome ?

..working on it..trying to figure how to put all in though.

Chapters 4, 5, 6

     Going through the readings I found that the status of women have changed from an equal to non-existence. By non existence, women were now seen as not an equal and seen as a child producer. From China to Roman, women started to form this reputation as someone who tends to the house, be obedient to men regardless of their age, child producers, and lastly become a slave through war.  Regardless of a woman’s status or how wealthy her family is, she will never be an equal. I find that quite amazing how it all changed from Paleolithic to the Eurasian era. Women were once praised as a gather or decision maker, but now seen as an object. For instance, Confucianism practiced more of the patriarchal approach. Confucius believed that life comes in opposites meaning men and women. They saw it as the form of the yang and yin. Yang defined as “masculine, strength, rationality which adds up to heaven like.”  On the other hand, yang was defined as “feminine, weakness, emotional, and more down to earth.” This gave the perspective that men should be seen more as a figure at home or in the public which carried the weight of superiority and the women seen as delicate creatures who should be domestic. There are “three obediences” that Confucianism highly believed that women should live by which are “women is subordinated to father, then husband, then son.”  This pretty much narrows it down on how life was life for women.  It’s sad to say that this quote has never changed throughout history.              
      Besides hearing the negative, some women did gain some political authority which caused hostility from male officials in China.   During the Tang Dynasty, elite women were now considered capable of handling legal and business affairs.  These women were even given credit to ride horses like men did which was a huge step. Women were starting to pave a road in China especially when the first female emperor took control. Emperor Wu took her reign and started too pushed for the improvement of women and their status. By just having a female ruler in China at the time was defying all laws since it went against Confucius. Emperor Wu received a lot push back and criticisms for her trying to push women to the front.  If female writer Ban Zhao was able to speak, I wonder if she would agree to have a female ruler or would it be bad taste to have one. One would think that Ban Zhao would disagree because her theory is that women should always be submissive to a male authority figure. Emperor Wu defies all of that since she is the main authority figure and the one controlling an empire. It’s a bit a peculiar that a well educate woman like Ban Zhao would be okay with being submissive and allowing her husband to have concubines on the side.  I would think that since Ban Zhao is so educated she would have fought for the status of women during the Han dynasty and demand her right as a woman.  Apparently that was not case because Ban Zhao was a firm believer in obedience to the authority male in any nature.

Response week 1

Hey Everyone,
I know its late, but I wanted to really write a good blog!

                When I was reading the first three chapters of the textbook, I felt really overwhelm with all of the information that was provided. The subject that stood out was how women were treated as individuals and as an equal, especially how women were deeply needed not for their domestic housework chores or to bear children. Women were seen with a status of hunting, making tools, and deciding who gets what part of a hunted animal. I believe that Strayer was trying to convey that women were dominant figures and men were not always the leader of the pack. In one particular group, the Sans lived a very harmonious life on how men and women were treated equally. One example is the sex life on how if husband and wife were not satisfied; they are allowed to seek loves that could satisfy them sexually. While women have the option to divorce there husband if she feels the marriage is not fulfilling for her. It’s interesting to see that back in the Paleolithic days women were not bashed for trying to leave her husband, but nowadays it’s very taboo to do so. In the Vietnamese culture it’s a huge slap to the girl’s family if she seeks a divorce or even thinks about that option. I can only imagine that back when civilization was just beginning women really had the respect and upper hand on deciding her fate in life.  It’s funny to see how present days have changed on how the world still perceives women as a delicate flower who should be a home maker. It makes me feel that we are moving backwards instead of moving forward.

                On a different note as I read into the Agriculture, I started to notice the change from an era without a main leader or commander into societies with chiefs. These chiefdoms were being created to give these leaders power and privileges which started to back up the idea of equals. However instead of using their power to will over their people, the chiefs would win followers by using their personality, charm, and gifts. This enables those to build a strong group of followers and a tight society. Chiefdoms were generally popular within the Pacific islands where the Polynesian people colonized. The Chiefs were seen as a great person who could mediate conflicts within the society, prepare for war, conduct rituals, and being able to keep up with the economic life. These leaders are chosen and respected due to their linage.  I find that it’s pretty much to life today! Hence how our President is trying to resolve issues between the democrats and the republicans, stop hate crimes while trying to prevent war within our own people, and also trying to rebuild our economy. I would say that’s pretty close. I feel that it’s important to have a leader that is greatly respected and liked as an individual. If we didn’t like our leader then who would we trust on guiding us to a better future.

                Reading through the book I tried to reflect my thoughts and compare it to present day.

"Yay-I'm done!"