I'm so glad you've joined me on Lights Out Library tonight.

If you'd like to listen ad-free and unlock bonus episodes, then please consider joining our Patreon.

There's a link for it in the episode description.

Now, a quick word from our our sponsors before tonight's story begins.

Hello everyone. I'm Olympia. Thank you for being here with me in this wonderful place, call Lights Out Library, and I have a great story to tell you.

Tonight, we're going to travel across the steps, deserts and mountains, following the trails of ancient

caravans. Moreover, we will travel over time. You have certainly

heard of the Silk Road, a trade route that linked China in the east to the Mediterranean

in the west, lasting for centuries. But how exactly did it work? Why did it appear? Was it a single

route or were there several? Who transported these precious goods over thousands of miles?

What unfolded during more than 1,500 years of activity,

how did the world change as a result of this early form of trade globalization?

This is what we are going to explore.

But before we do, I'd like to take one minute of your time to let you know that we do have a Patreon page for those of you who wish to and can support this project.

Get more of it and listen ad-free on your favorite podcast app.

Patreon is a platform that allows you to directly contribute to our work financially.

If you join, you will get various new things, like the possibility to listen to all episodes,

with or without background sounds, and regular bonus episodes.

We already have three episodes available only to our patrons,

with the latest one being about the Library of Alexandria,

and the fourth one is coming soon.

You will be able to download all these audios, and you will have your say on the choice of topics.

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