Iberian Silk Roads: spices, silver, and souls

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingBook Chapterpeer-review

Abstract

Chapter 18 defines the Iberian Silk Roads as maritime networks that contributed decisively to early modern globalisation. From the early sixteenth century, the Portuguese established a string of colonies from the Indian Ocean to Malacca. In partnership with local Asian merchants, they reached the Moluccas, China, and Japan. Decades later, the Castilians discovered a return route across the Pacific, creating a stable connection between Manila and Acapulco. Iberian cartography furthered an accurate knowledge of world geography, while Iberian navigation sparked the global silver trade and three centuries of Sino-Iberian relations. Iberian Asia was shaped not only by political and commercial agendas, but also by the efforts of Catholic missionaries to spread the Gospel and save souls.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReimagining the Silk Roads
Subtitle of host publicationinteractions and perceptions across Eurasia
EditorsJulian Henderson, Stephen L. Morgan, Matteo Salonia
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter18
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781003348702
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

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