Highways, Byways, and Road Systems in the Pre-Modern World

摘要

Published in the Wiley-Blackwell series 'The Ancient World: Comparative Histories', this sixth volume deals with roads in the widest sense of the term. As noted in the Preface and Introduction (pp. 1-11), the particular aim of the conference lies on comparison (p. 1). And it is this aim which the volume fails to achieve; first, the editors do not consider any of the theoretical approaches to comparative study; secondly, there is no clear definition what the tertium comparationis of the comparata is; and, thirdly, there is no indication what the aim and purpose of this specific comparison is. Results are therefore limited to rather basic observations on differences and similarities. The reader interested in the comparative aspect of the volume likely will feel a bit underwhelmed. The scholarly value of this volume, however, lies in the empirical basis it provides for future comparison; the editors have assembled a host of highly valuable contributions. First off is Jason Neelis' chapter on 'Overland Shortcuts for the Transmission of Buddhism' (pp. 12-32): the author explores the routes along which Buddhist monks, nuns, pilgrims and merchants travelled and along which 'informal networks' were formed, expanding from northern India to the Silk Routes of Central Asia. He manages to trace the transmission of Buddhist ideas along the important routes and identifies merchants and traders as the main actors of transmission, with Buddhist missionaries in tow.