Q 01/05

Roughly how long was the overland Silk Road from China to the Mediterranean?

A) About 1,600 km

B) About 3,200 km

C) About 6,400 km

D) About 12,800 km

Answer · why

C) About 6,400 km

About 6,400 km (4,000 miles) is the figure usually given for the overland Silk Road, stretching from the Chinese capital at Chang'an westward to the M...

Q 02/05

Which German geographer popularised the term 'Silk Road' (Seidenstraße) in 1877?

A) Ferdinand von Richthofen

B) August Heinrich Petermann

C) Alexander von Humboldt

D) Friedrich Ratzel

Answer · why

A) Ferdinand von Richthofen

Ferdinand von Richthofen coined Seidenstraße in 1877 after his travels in China; his pupil Sven Hedin later popularised the name with his 1938 book Th...

Q 03/05

Which emperor dispatched the 138 BCE embassy that opened China's route to Central Asia?

A) Emperor Gaozu

B) Emperor Wen

C) Emperor Wu

D) Emperor Jing

Answer · why

C) Emperor Wu

Emperor Wu, who reigned from 141 to 87 BCE, dispatched the envoy to seek allies against the Xiongnu, and the reports he brought back spurred the push ...

Q 04/05

Which Han envoy's missions to the West, from 138 BCE, trail-blazed the Silk Road?

A) Gan Ying

B) Zhang Qian

C) Ban Chao

D) Zhang Heng

Answer · why

B) Zhang Qian

Zhang Qian was sent to recruit the Yuezhi as allies against the Xiongnu; his reports on Ferghana, Bactria and the lands beyond gave the court its firs...

Q 05/05

Roughly how long did the Xiongnu hold the envoy captive on his outward journey?

A) About one year

B) About ten years

C) About three years

D) About twenty years

Answer · why

B) About ten years

About ten years passed in Xiongnu captivity, during which the envoy took a Xiongnu wife; he then escaped, reached the Yuezhi, and was held again for a...