The Sogdians and the Silk Road
For much of the period between the sixth century B.C.E. and the tenth century C.E, the Central Asian city-states of the Sogdian people an Iranian-speaking group, were a vital part of the trade routes known as the Silk Road, which carried silk, spices, and other items between China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Central Asia is largely arid (dry), but the Sogdians created thriving cities like Bukhara and Afrasiab by building dams and channels that carried river water many miles to cities and agricultural lands in the region then known as Sogdiana. Gigantic walls, built to protect the cities from nomadic (wandering) raiders and from the encroachment of desert sands. contributed to the growth of cities; the wall around Bukhara, probably built in the fifth century c.E., extended for over 150 miles.
Sogdian traders were so widespread in their region that in one Central Asian kingdom, Khotan, all merchants were referred to as Sogdians whether they actually were or not. The Sogdian language became the common tongue of traders along the Silk Road; many of the surrounding Turkic languages borrowed Sogdian words for “coin” and “debt,” as well as words for other commercial items. Sogdian children were sent out to do business in neighboring lands at age twelve, and one seventh-century traveler noted that they learned to read and write from age five in preparation for a life in commerce. To increase profits, Sogdian traders carried items that were low in weigh but high in value, such as silver. Both Persia and China produced fine silver ornaments, but recent research suggests that many silver vessels traded around Asia were actually manufactured by Sogdians. It is known that the Sogdians had independent access to silver from mines in Chach (in modern Uzbekistan). Of 82 examples of Central Asian silver dishes in a group of seventh- and eighth-century archaeological finds in Russia, more than a quarter (23) were of Sogdian origin, and Sogdians were involved in the trade of many others.
The Sogdians established commercial networks based on families in communities throughout much of Asia, particularly in China. Many Sogdians went to the Chinese province of Gansu, in northwestern China, with emigration reaching a high point in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 1907 the archaeologist Aurel Stein discovered letters near the Gansu city of Dunhuang that were written in Old Sogdian in the fourth century. The letters showed that the Sogdians traded in grain, silk, and wool, but also in pepper and camphor, products that show trade links to India and Southeast Asia. One letter indicates that many Sogdian merchants moved to the Liang district of Gansu to trade. Another, from a Sogdian merchant’s wife to her husband, says that she looked after his affairs in Dunhuang, and its mention of a Zoroastrian priest there-Zoroastrianism was a principal Sogdian religion-shows that the Sogdian population must have been big enough to support its own place of worship. In such communities in China, the Sogdians were permitted to govern themselves under an official called a sabao-a term derived from a Sogdian title meaning leader of the trading expedition.” While caravan leader was not a high-ranking post at home in Sogdiana, the designation sabao was adopted by the Chinese and integrated into their hierarchy of administrative ranks.
Sogdians became increasingly assimilated as their families remained in China over generations, moving to the main Chinese towns and sometimes even entering the Chinese administration. One sixth-century man named An Tugen, whose biography describes how his great-grandfather came from western Sogdiana, started out as a merchant but rose to become grand minister of Northern Qi (one of several lesser dynasties of this period). In 755 another Sogdian, An Lushan, led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Tang dynasty resulting in persecution of Sogdians. Many changed their names to hide their identities. The withdrawal of Chinese imperial monetary support for Sogdians in 787 accelerated the community’s decline. Around the same time, Arab forces conquered Sogdiana, causing much disruption and loss of wealth-in the city of Paykent (near Bukhara), countless gold and silver objects were melted down and taken by the conquerors. By the end of the ninth century the Sogdian noble families had lost their land and power, and by the late tenth century the native language of the Sogdians had essentially disappeared.
1
For much of the period between the sixth century B.C.E. and the tenth century C.E, the Central Asian city-states of the Sogdian people an Iranian-speaking group, were a vital part of the trade routes known as the Silk Road, which carried silk, spices, and other items between China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Central Asia is largely arid (dry), but the Sogdians created thriving cities like Bukhara and Afrasiab by building dams and channels that carried river water many miles to cities and agricultural lands in the region then known as Sogdiana. Gigantic walls, built to protect the cities from nomadic (wandering) raiders and from the encroachment of desert sands. contributed to the growth of cities; the wall around Bukhara, probably built in the fifth century c.E., extended for over 150 miles.
The phrase “contributed to” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Asimplified
Bindicated
Cstabilized
Dhelped
2
For much of the period between the sixth century B.C.E. and the tenth century C.E, the Central Asian city-states of the Sogdian people an Iranian-speaking group, were a vital part of the trade routes known as the Silk Road, which carried silk, spices, and other items between China, India, the Middle East, and Europe. Central Asia is largely arid (dry), but the Sogdians created thriving cities like Bukhara and Afrasiab by building dams and channels that carried river water many miles to cities and agricultural lands in the region then known as Sogdiana. Gigantic walls, built to protect the cities from nomadic (wandering) raiders and from the encroachment of desert sands. contributed to the growth of cities; the wall around Bukhara, probably built in the fifth century c.E., extended for over 150 miles.
According to paragraph 1, the Sogdians took steps to deal with all of the following EXCEPT
Athe advance of desert sands into their homeland
Ba lack of water due to the arid conditions of Central Asia
Ccompetition from traders outside the Silk Road route
Dpossible invasion of their cities by outside attackers
3
Sogdian traders were so widespread in their region that in one Central Asian kingdom, Khotan, all merchants were referred to as Sogdians whether they actually were or not. The Sogdian language became the common tongue of traders along the Silk Road; many of the surrounding Turkic languages borrowed Sogdian words for “coin” and “debt,” as well as words for other commercial items. Sogdian children were sent out to do business in neighboring lands at age twelve, and one seventh-century traveler noted that they learned to read and write from age five in preparation for a life in commerce. To increase profits, Sogdian traders carried items that were low in weigh but high in value, such as silver. Both Persia and China produced fine silver ornaments, but recent research suggests that many silver vessels traded around Asia were actually manufactured by Sogdians. It is known that the Sogdians had independent access to silver from mines in Chach (in modern Uzbekistan). Of 82 examples of Central Asian silver dishes in a group of seventh- and eighth-century archaeological finds in Russia, more than a quarter (23) were of Sogdian origin, and Sogdians were involved in the trade of many others.
According to paragraph 2, all of the following indicate the important role the Sogdians played in trade EXCEPT:
AMany Central Asian kingdoms brought in Sogdian teachers to prepare their children for a life in commerce
BSpeakers of Turkic languages borrowed Sogdian words connected with commerce
CThe merchants of Khotan were all known as Sogdians, regardless of their actual origins.
DSilk Road traders were able to communicate with one another in the Sogdian language, even if they were not Sogdian.
4
Sogdian traders were so widespread in their region that in one Central Asian kingdom, Khotan, all merchants were referred to as Sogdians whether they actually were or not. The Sogdian language became the common tongue of traders along the Silk Road; many of the surrounding Turkic languages borrowed Sogdian words for “coin” and “debt,” as well as words for other commercial items. Sogdian children were sent out to do business in neighboring lands at age twelve, and one seventh-century traveler noted that they learned to read and write from age five in preparation for a life in commerce. To increase profits, Sogdian traders carried items that were low in weigh but high in value, such as silver. Both Persia and China produced fine silver ornaments, but recent research suggests that many silver vessels traded around Asia were actually manufactured by Sogdians. It is known that the Sogdians had independent access to silver from mines in Chach (in modern Uzbekistan). Of 82 examples of Central Asian silver dishes in a group of seventh- and eighth-century archaeological finds in Russia, more than a quarter (23) were of Sogdian origin, and Sogdians were involved in the trade of many others.
When discussing Central Asian silver dishes found in Russia, why does the author mention that “more than a quarter (23) were of Sogdian origin”?
ATo suggest that more silver was traded in Russia than in Persia or China
BTo provide evidence for the claim that much of the silver traded by Sogdians was also made by them
CTo argue that the quality of Sogdian silver was as high as that of Persian and Chinese silver
DTo demonstrate that Sogdians did not trade as much silver as was once thought
5
The Sogdians established commercial networks based on families in communities throughout much of Asia, particularly in China. Many Sogdians went to the Chinese province of Gansu, in northwestern China, with emigration reaching a high point in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 1907 the archaeologist Aurel Stein discovered letters near the Gansu city of Dunhuang that were written in Old Sogdian in the fourth century. The letters showed that the Sogdians traded in grain, silk, and wool, but also in pepper and camphor, products that show trade links to India and Southeast Asia. One letter indicates that many Sogdian merchants moved to the Liang district of Gansu to trade. Another, from a Sogdian merchant’s wife to her husband, says that she looked after his affairs in Dunhuang, and its mention of a Zoroastrian priest there-Zoroastrianism was a principal Sogdian religion-shows that the Sogdian population must have been big enough to support its own place of worship. In such communities in China, the Sogdians were permitted to govern themselves under an official called a sabao-a term derived from a Sogdian title meaning leader of the trading expedition.” While caravan leader was not a high-ranking post at home in Sogdiana, the designation sabao was adopted by the Chinese and integrated into their hierarchy of administrative ranks.
The phrase “based on” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Aapart from
Badded to
Ccentered on
Dencouraged by
6
The Sogdians established commercial networks based on families in communities throughout much of Asia, particularly in China. Many Sogdians went to the Chinese province of Gansu, in northwestern China, with emigration reaching a high point in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 1907 the archaeologist Aurel Stein discovered letters near the Gansu city of Dunhuang that were written in Old Sogdian in the fourth century. The letters showed that the Sogdians traded in grain, silk, and wool, but also in pepper and camphor, products that show trade links to India and Southeast Asia. One letter indicates that many Sogdian merchants moved to the Liang district of Gansu to trade. Another, from a Sogdian merchant’s wife to her husband, says that she looked after his affairs in Dunhuang, and its mention of a Zoroastrian priest there-Zoroastrianism was a principal Sogdian religion-shows that the Sogdian population must have been big enough to support its own place of worship. In such communities in China, the Sogdians were permitted to govern themselves under an official called a sabao-a term derived from a Sogdian title meaning leader of the trading expedition.” While caravan leader was not a high-ranking post at home in Sogdiana, the designation sabao was adopted by the Chinese and integrated into their hierarchy of administrative ranks.
According to paragraph 3, what do the letters found by archaeologist Aurel Stein reveal about Sogdians living in China?
ASogdian husbands often emigrated to Gansu as traders, while their wives stayed in Sogdiana
BSogdians were not concentrated in any particular area of China.
CThe Sogdian population in Dunhuang was apparently sufficiently large to maintain a Zoroastrian temple
DSogdians traded textiles such as silk and wool but did not buy and sell food and spices
7
The Sogdians established commercial networks based on families in communities throughout much of Asia, particularly in China. Many Sogdians went to the Chinese province of Gansu, in northwestern China, with emigration reaching a high point in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 1907 the archaeologist Aurel Stein discovered letters near the Gansu city of Dunhuang that were written in Old Sogdian in the fourth century. The letters showed that the Sogdians traded in grain, silk, and wool, but also in pepper and camphor, products that show trade links to India and Southeast Asia. One letter indicates that many Sogdian merchants moved to the Liang district of Gansu to trade. Another, from a Sogdian merchant’s wife to her husband, says that she looked after his affairs in Dunhuang, and its mention of a Zoroastrian priest there-Zoroastrianism was a principal Sogdian religion-shows that the Sogdian population must have been big enough to support its own place of worship. In such communities in China, the Sogdians were permitted to govern themselves under an official called a sabao-a term derived from a Sogdian title meaning leader of the trading expedition.” While caravan leader was not a high-ranking post at home in Sogdiana, the designation sabao was adopted by the Chinese and integrated into their hierarchy of administrative ranks.
What does the discussion of the term “sabao” in paragraph 3 suggest about the relationship between the Chinese and the Sogdians living in China?
ASogdian caravan leaders were much more highly respected in Sogdiana than they were in China
BThe Sogdians absorbed many aspects of Chinese culture including its leadership structure.
CThere was conflict when the Chinese government attempted to take over the leadership of the Sogdian communities.
DThe ways in which Sogdian communities established authority were officially recognized by the Chinese.
8
Sogdians became increasingly assimilated as their families remained in China over generations, moving to the main Chinese towns and sometimes even entering the Chinese administration. One sixth-century man named An Tugen, whose biography describes how his great-grandfather came from western Sogdiana, started out as a merchant but rose to become grand minister of Northern Qi (one of several lesser dynasties of this period). In 755 another Sogdian, An Lushan, led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Tang dynasty resulting in persecution of Sogdians. Many changed their names to hide their identities. The withdrawal of Chinese imperial monetary support for Sogdians in 787 accelerated the community’s decline. Around the same time, Arab forces conquered Sogdiana, causing much disruption and loss of wealth-in the city of Paykent (near Bukhara), countless gold and silver objects were melted down and taken by the conquerors. By the end of the ninth century the Sogdian noble families had lost their land and power, and by the late tenth century the native language of the Sogdians had essentially disappeared.
According to paragraph 4, which of the following statements best describes the Sogdians who settled in China?
ATheir families usually did not remain in China longer than a generation.
BSome of them became high-ranking government officials
CThose who came from western Sogdiana were primarily active as merchants.
DThey mainly inhabited areas outside the central settlements
9
The Sogdians established commercial networks based on families in communities throughout much of Asia, particularly in China. ■ Many Sogdians went to the Chinese province of Gansu, in northwestern China, with emigration reaching a high point in the fifth and sixth centuries. ■ In 1907 the archaeologist Aurel Stein discovered letters near the Gansu city of Dunhuang that were written in Old Sogdian in the fourth century. ■ The letters showed that the Sogdians traded in grain, silk, and wool, but also in pepper and camphor, products that show trade links to India and Southeast Asia. ■ One letter indicates that many Sogdian merchants moved to the Liang district of Gansu to trade. Another, from a Sogdian merchant’s wife to her husband, says that she looked after his affairs in Dunhuang, and its mention of a Zoroastrian priest there-Zoroastrianism was a principal Sogdian religion-shows that the Sogdian population must have been big enough to support its own place of worship. In such communities in China, the Sogdians were permitted to govern themselves under an official called a sabao-a term derived from a Sogdian title meaning leader of the trading expedition.” While caravan leader was not a high-ranking post at home in Sogdiana, the designation sabao was adopted by the Chinese and integrated into their hierarchy of administrative ranks.
Look at the four squaresthat indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage
Some clues about their lives are given by documents dating to an earlier Sogdian presence in the area
Where would the sentence best fit？Click on a square sentence to the passage.
10
The Sogdians of Central Asia prospered for many centuries.
AThe Sogdians, who thrived in arid Central Asia by diverting water to their well-protected cities, were well known to contemporaries for their role as traders along the Silk Road.
BSogdians prepared their children for a life in trade from an early age and traded goods from many countries as well as products they manufactured themselves.
CLife for Sogdians could be unpredictable while they were establishing themselves in China and other countries, whose native inhabitants resented Sogdian government and influence
DThere are few sources of information about Sogdian life other than some letters found by Zoroastrian priests in temples where Sogdians worshipped.
ERecent research suggests that Persian and Chinese economic and social systems may have links to the ancient Sogdian community.
FThe Sogdians formed strong commercial networks with many other countries. but their culture later declined because of persecution in China and the Arab conquest of Sogdiana.
