Art of the Silk Road
During the 3rd century C.E, the Sogdians benefited from the Silk Road in terms of urban development and cultural growth. Since the Sink Road connected many countries, the intermingling enabled the Sogdians to receive Western artistic ideas such as wall painting (Naymark, 345). In general, the Sogdians artistic tradition improved as a result of Western cultural influence. Note that traditionally, the Sogdians had few artifacts and little archaeological research. However, Sogdians joined the Hellenistic world, and it gained economy and social stability. The Silk Road influenced the commercial network, and during the 3rd century, Sogdians merchants had gained the capability to participate in political negotiations (Naymark, 345). The Silk Road caused significant impacts in improving the economy and world cultures. Today, countries that used the Silk Road enjoy abundant natural resources as well as cultural stability. Countries also improved art, language, religion, and commerce trade.
The Silk Road was not a single road but many roads started from China to other parts of the world. The roads contributed to great civilizations in parts of the world as a result of the exchange is ideas. For example, many cities gained power and wealth (Naymark, 350). People from different cultural backgrounds interacted, and the interaction led to the development of cultural and artistic centers. The routes were used to transport goods from China to other parts such as Asia, Central Europe, North Africa, and more. The routes were strategic importance since many countries could use these trade routes. The Silk Road routs were not only economic routes, but they were connected with a cultural and social aspect. For example, Buddhism religion spread in China and later, the branches of silk routes influenced the spread of Buddhism to other areas such as Khotan, Kucha, and more (Naymark, 356). However, economic activity was the main factor that connected China with other countries. The Silk Road brought new economic development and connected the international community. For example, Southeast and Northeast Asia, and Europe promoted economy integration which enhanced agricultural trade and agricultural technology.
Naymark (356) talks about the arts of the road and asserts that the Silk Road was a commercial route and Sogdians people mastered painting skills. It is important to note that Sogdia was a geographical location in Western Turkestan. In the Western Turkestan, traders used the Silk Road to execute the commercial activities. However, Western Turkestan boosted the economy through agriculture. Today, Sogdians people have shaped their culture through archaeological discoveries. This indicates that the Harvest Festival Painting was an initiative that was established to strengthen agriculture.
Baba-ye Dihqan wall painting connected the Islamic and Iranian origin. These origins believed that Baba-ye Dahqan was the first farmer, and therefore, the image presented the status in Panjikent. This painting is unique and exceptional in that it includes peasantry (Naymark, 361). It excludes merchants and lower classes, and this indicates that they focus on secular images. In historical perspective, the image of peasant guild represents the Islamic saint. In the wall painting, some figures did contain the name Baba-ye Adam to represent man. In general, China and other countries flourished as a result of Silk trade. However, the Silk Road caused expected innovations of material culture. This means that silk routes also acted as cultural routes in that there were exchange of ideas and countries gained cultural significance.
Work cited
Naymark, Aleksandr. "Sogdiana, its Christians and Byzantium: A study of artistic and cultural
Connections in late antiquity and early Middle Ages." (2002): 2608-2608.
