THE SILK ROAD: A Simulation
While Europe was dealing with the loss of culture and knowledge due to increased
invasions and the fall of the Roman Empire, Asia entered a period of innovation and
prosperity. Ideas, technology, and goods came out of the continent due to cultural diffusion
by means of primary trade routes, collectively known as the Silk Road.
The intent of this simulation is not for you to memorize an endless stream of dates and
names, but to examine the impact of trade and understand the context of a period of
unrivaled discovery.
Logistics
Your group will represent one of four major stops in the Silk Road:
1. China (Tang/Song Dynasty)
2. India (the Gupta Empire)
3. Abbasid Empire
4. Byzantine Empire
Leadership: It is your team’s responsibility to divide work in a fair and logical manner. I
suggest the following:
 Electing a team captain that will help divide the work, lead discussions of strategy,
and keep all members on task.
 Share all group members phone numbers or contact information to communicate.
 Delegate wisely and do your fair share—part of your grade depends on this!
Requirements
1.
A historic travel
poster representing your capital: What is life like in your empire? This will be done on large
paper and presented to the class. You want to persuade travelers to visit. When researching, remember that your
poster represents the OLD way of life in your empire—not modern life there!! Your poster must include the
following information:
Clear headings for the following categories:
a.
Geographic setting, including a map and bulleted geo features (easily read 6 feet away)
b.
Famous sites/points of interest (minimum 2) with picture or drawing
c.
Culture of the Empire: religion, language, type of government,
d.
Four most important achievements
e.
Speakers: voices loud and clear; know their categories (don’t read off the poster with back to audience—have eye
contact with class)
2.
An original, entertaining presentation to the class regarding the political, religious, artistic, and
technological culture of your empire: WHY should people come there to trade? This is NOT a PowerPoint,
lecture, or video. It will be performed LIVE in front of the class! It can take a variety of forms: an infomercial, talk
show, Discovery Channel documentary, a “day in the life” skit, or another appropriate creative choice. It must
include the following information:
a.
What is happening socially (religion, education, arts, architecture, music, literature, etc.)
b.
What is happening politically (government and legal system, any behavior codes or important laws)
c.
What is happening technologically (new inventions and ideas)
d.
Advantages of trading with your empire (minimum 3)
3. Four trade objects PER PERSON: Each group member will create four objects to trade (on standard
8.5x11 white paper). The purpose of the simulation is to diffuse your empire’s culture and make money, so
choose objects that would be desirable and useful to others and that reflect the important developments of your
empire. These objects will be created at home.
Each trade object must have the following:

A printed picture/colored drawing of your object along with a 2-3 sentence description of your object’s
significance TYPED/PRINTED on the FRONT. Include Item TITLE and why it is important and
clearly state where it is from.

Make sure all trade objects have YOUR NAME, GROUP, and HOUR on the BACK!

An Important Note: Don’t overlook IDEAS—they are usually more valuable than “stuff.”
Sources: We expect you to find the majority of the needed information in your textbook. Important items that are in
your book but are not listed on your poster or used as trade items will adversely affect your grade. In addition, take
advantage of the hand-selected books on the library cart that pertain to your culture. You may also add some light—
not heavy—internet research to help you better understand the technology and art work. Blog websites will be helpful.
All of these will earn you money . . . the higher the quality, the more money you earn for trade day!!
Activities and Schedule

Monday 10/3: Explain project, form groups. NOTES ON YOUR EMPIRE ARE DUE ON
THURSDAY!

Tuesday 10/4: Teacher PowerPoint overview lecture on the Silk Road. Discuss project questions.

Wednesday 10/5: Teacher PowerPoint overview lecture on the Silk Road. Discuss project questions.

Thursday 10/6: Group work time in the library—DAY 1. Use this time to create your poster, write your
skits, and discuss what trade objects each member will make AT HOME. Make sure all work is divided
equally. Notes on YOUR EMPIRE are due today!

Friday 10 /7: Group work time in library—DAY 2.

Saturday/Sunday 10/8 & 9: You should be working on completing the note charts for the other empires.
Please do not leave these until Tuesday to complete as they are due on Wednesday, October 12 th and
there is too much info to read and enter in one night. You should have your four trade objects created by
now (make sure you read and follow the very clear directions on how they are to be made).

Monday 10/10: Group work time in library—DAY 3. ALL TRADE OBJECTS ARE DUE
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HOUR.

Tuesday 10/11: Bring textbooks as I am giving you a free day to finish up some minor work on notes for
other empires or finalizing your presentations. Posters and skits should be finalized today since they are
both due tomorrow.

Wednesday 10/12: Team skit and poster presentations today! Note charts will be handed in and checked
for completion of other three empires (returned tomorrow Thursday, Oct. 13))

Thursday 10/13: TRADE DAY! (see below for more info)

Friday 10/14: Formal Written Assessment.
TRADE DAY
Your group members will take turns traveling across the Silk Road to trade with the other empires. Only half of
the group may travel at a time; the other half must stay and staff your trade booth.
Your trade objects are necessary to participate in the trade day. Each trade object will carry a point value that
is unknown to all simulation participants. It is up to you to determine what objects have the highest cultural,
scientific, and historical value and to barter for them using your currency, your objects, or a combination.
**IMPORTANT NOTE on Trade Day: To travel, you must pay fees to the MIDDLE MAN
(ME!) to fund your caravan travel on the Silk Road. However, if you can prove to me that you possess the
technology that would enable you to expertly navigate a ship, you may take your chances at rolling the “Sea
ie.” Important to note as you plan your journey: Ships did not sail around the bottom of Africa at this time!
Extra credit will be awarded on your rubric to the team with the most combined currency & trade objects.
Teacher Assessment: Overall Rubric
(This is a copy of how you will be graded individually—read it carefully!)
Grade Rubric
Thorough,
Above average
Avg. –Below
Poorly
Categories
on time, well
effort, on time:
avg. work, lacks
prepared,
detail OR late:
unfinished OR
prepared:
over 1 day late:
Grading
(5pts)
(4pts)
1. Your empire’s
notes (1/4 of
chart ) (x1)
2. Rest of notes
complete (x2)
3. Four trade
objects (x2)
4. Group skit and
poster (x4)
5. Assessment
quest. (x4)
6. Overall
participation
(x2)
TOTAL POINTS: 75
(3pts)
(0-2pts)
Silk Road Simulation Self-Notes. Please take careful and thorough reading notes for each empire.
Empire:
India: Gupta
Empire
(and subsequent
kingdoms)
A.D. 320-535
Pages 191-197
China:
Tang/Song
Dynasty
A.D. 618-1279
Pgs. 323-329
Political: Government
Social: Religion/Philosophy
Social: Art/Culture
Economic: Trade , tech , innovations
Empire:
Byzantine
Empire
“New Rome”
A.D. 527-1453
Pages 301-306
Abbasid
Empire
(Iraq)
A.D. 750-1258
Pgs. 271-279
Political: Government
Social: Religion/Philosophy
Social: Art/Culture
Economic: Trade , tech , innovations