The first complete history of Central Eurasia from ancient times to the present
day, Empires of the Silk Road represents a fundamental rethinking of the origins
, history, and significance of this major world region. Christopher Beckwith des
cribes the rise and fall of the great Central Eurasian empires, including those
of the Scythians, Attila the Hun, the Turks and Tibetans, and Genghis Khan and t
he Mongols. In addition, he explains why the heartland of Central Eurasia led th
e world economically, scientifically, and artistically for many centuries despit
e invasions by Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Chinese, and others.