Silk road in the cultural interaction of east and west (from the beginning till the end of Gokturk period)

Silk Road, which has been open to human service from the first periods of history, got lots of people belonging to different cultures and civilisations from east to the west, from north to the south together. Silk Road is a symbol of time link. Commercial relations in this period developed more among specific roads and trade centers in east-west axis. Silk, perfumes, jewelleries, furs and slaves were transferred to China, central Asia and other places through Silk Road.A considerable struggle was experienced for the control of Silk Road. The basis of the struggle to own Silk Road was the economic aims. In other words, each state tried to hold Silk Road which was the most important transportation and trade road in order to fulfill the needs of its people comfortably. Nations that could take a part of this road under control were able to build up countries in the level of empires by developing fast and growing stronger. Six states can be considered which are in conflict with each other till 11th century on this area. These are Chinese, Turks, Indians, Iranians, Romans and Arabians.The relations of steppe societies with the other societies nearby have been increased from the beginning of first century B.C as a result of climate changes, efforts to look for new fields for animals and immigrations for exchanging goods with the farmers. As recorded by the researchers, the population growth in Saka steppes in the 6th-4th BC enabled the commercial relations of nomadics with central Asia oasis and Iran countries to speed up. The Scythians maintained their position in economical structure with the help of their supremacy on Northern Silk Road. In this geography, it is possible to see traces concerning that a lot of changes were experienced in both economic and cultural aspects as a result of commercial relations established in Chinese, Greek and European areas.Moreover, Silk Road is the road where Runic Alphabet was spread. Commercial relations of the socities have had important roles in spreading of the alphabet. Along with the textual evidence about being transferred of the religious and philosophic ideas from one civilisation to the other, traces of artistic and intellectual communication between east and West are also seen. It is obvious that Budism spread in Central Asian countries and China through Silk Road. It can also be stated that tradesmen are effective in this and have established a cultural bridge between China and the West. Also, Chinese pilgrims opened the doors of a new world with their travellings. Information about the West were expanded with the help of the knowledge gathered by these pilgrims as well as the knowledge, news and stories given by tradesmen. So, for the first time, information could be obtained without any vehicle about important civilisations that are located in the west of China.Silk Road shouldered a role as a bridge in the social, political, economic and cultural interactions ofthe nations between themselves. That?s why it is very important to reveal these mentioned links and determine the position of Silk Road in cultural aspect.Key Terms1. Turks2. Steppe3. Culture4. Trade5. Silk