Journey Along the Silk Road - Game Script The 1st international trading route


Background

For almost 3,000 years, the Silk Routes (commonly known as the Silk Road) were important paths for commercial, cultural, and technological exchange between traders, merchants, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, rulers, nomads and urban dwellers from Ancient China, India, Persia, Asia Minor, and countries of the Mediterranean. 

With the resources that you have been provided with and the information you have learned in class, you will be able to come to a decision: What was the most important outcome of the Silk Road?  The ability for different regions to trade goods and exchange ideas, or, the creation of long lasting relationships among these regions.

Characters

Shang Yang Chinese Ambassador

China is the only producer of silk and as the demand for this precious fabric increases, the stakes to produce mass quantities also continue to rise. As an ambassador for the Chinese empire, you have been working directly under the ruling dynasty.  You have met with ambassadors from places near and far, familiar and foreign. Throughout your journeys, you have become fluent in Chinese, Arabic, and Greek.


Your Task

Dear Shang Yang, the emperor of China has expressed his concerns for thieves and pirates stealing our valuable silk, making it rather dangerous to successfully reach Rome and other empires along the Silk Road.

You have been sent to meet with the powerful traders, merchants, and ambassadors from Rome, India, Egypt, and Persia.. Explain to the panel that their soldiers must protect our caravans along the routes that we pass through. If you are successful, traders will be able to transport the goods safely to every end of Europe, Asia, and Africa!

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. 


Resources

Scene - 01

Darius Persian Businessman

Your father used to always say to you, "Darius, when you are older, you will be the most successful businessman in all of Persia." Flash forward 20-something years and you have become just that.. You have even made friends with the royal family.


Your Task

Dear Darius, since you were young you have seen caravans from China, Rome, India, Egypt, and others pass by your home. As an adult, you know that Persia is located at the crossroads of most trading routes on the Silk Road.

You have the power and influence to boost your beloved Persia's economy. You will meet with many merchants, ambassadors and other men of high power.. convince the panel that if they agree to an increased tax on goods transported throughout your vast empire, we can secure soldiers with each caravan so they can travel safely and easily.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you.


Resources

Scene - 01

Borus Roman Merchant

From the moment you could walk and talk, your father and brother taught you the skills being a merchant. You quickly became one of the youngest and now one of the top merchants in all of Rome!


Your Task

Dear Borus, you want silk. Your clients want silk.. EVERYONE wants silk! It is your job to convince the panel that silk is a necessity to the Roman people. You want higher quantities more often. Make it happen!

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you.


Resources

Scene - 01

Ramses Egyptian Merchant

You are a warrior for the Egyptian empire but also have traded and sold goods to support your family. Your neighborhood is depending on you to bring income into their homes.


Your Task

Dear Ramses, the Chinese may weave the silk that the Romans desire so much, but it is your people, the Egyptians, that have the ability to dye the fabric and make it even more desirable.

You must convince the panel that before traveling to Rome, all silk should pass through Egypt in order for it to be dyed. Romans strive to be unique, so persuade them that it will bring them ahead of the other powerful empires.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. 


Resources

Scene - 01

Kavi Indian Trader

You grew up in a large city in North India, a prospering area that has seen great benefits from the routes along the silk road. You take pride in being Indian, so make your fellow citizens proud!


Your Task

Dear Kavi, while silk may seem like the most important good that travels to foreign empires, (hence, the "silk road") you need to convince the panel that India has a lot to offer. Make India the mid-point for trade.. Persuade China to send their caravans to India, where they can trade their precious silk and receive precious stones and spices in return. This will also benefit the other empires because Indian traders can then bring Chinese goods to other empires and vice versa.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. They are worth reading...


Resources

Scene - 01

Scene 1: What was the greatest outcome that came from the Silk Road?


1.

Public Message

Welcome to the Silk Road!

While you may come from very different places with differing ideas, it is your job to work together to achieve each of your goals!

Don't go back to your country empty-handed!

Good luck!


2.

Private (a while after previous message)

Shang Yang:

Based on the resources given, You should explain that soldiers from every region must protect your caravans along the silk road. If you are successful, traders will be able to transport the goods safely to every end of Europe, Asia, and Africa!

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. 

Darius:

Based on the resources given, you should explain that if they agree to an increased tax on goods transported throughout your vast empire, we can secure soldiers with each caravan so they can travel safely and easily.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you.

Borus:

Based on the resources given, you should explain that silk is a necessity to the Roman people. You want large quantities to be delivered to your clients more often. Make it happen!

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you.

Ramses:

Based on the resources given, you should explain that all silk should pass through Egypt in order for it to be dyed. Romans strive to be unique, so persuade them that it will bring them ahead of the other powerful empires.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you. 

Kavi:

Based on the resources given, you should explain that India has a lot to offer. Make India the mid-point for trade.. Persuade China to send their caravans to India, where they can trade their precious silk and receive precious stones and spices in return. This will also benefit the other empires because Indian traders can then bring Chinese goods to other empires and vice versa.

Try to establish your arguments using the resources offered to you.


3.

Public Message (a while after previous message)

Hello my fellow tradesmen, ambassadors, and merchants!

While you present your arguments, don't forget to explain the different goods that your region has to offer! Offering more trade options is a big part of creating stronger relationships with other regions.

Good luck!


4.

Public Message (a while after previous message)

Your skilled backgrounds have clearly shown your ability to create strong relationships with empires across the world!

You will be able to return to your empires with your heads held high!

Keep up the good work!


Vote

After all you heard and said, what do you believe to be the most important outcome of the Silk Road?



Option 1
Trading goods and the exchange of different ideas
Option 2
Establishing long-lasting relationships between foreign regions

Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

The majority of your group decided that establishing long-lasting relationships between foreign regions.


Option 2

The majority of your group decided that trading goods and the exchange of different ideas. 



Discussion Points

What was the “Silk Road”?

Why was silk so important?

What, besides silk and other goods, was shared on the Silk Road?

What else could this trade network be called?

There was an error, please try again in a few moments Send Message

So far 20352 teachers, 28205 Debates, 405443 Posts...and counting!

  • © To-Be Education Ltd. all rights reserved, Pending Patents P-79528-USP
    • Privacy  |  Term of Use