This innovative book examines cross-cultural encounters before 1492,focusing in particular on the major cross-cultural influences that transformedAsia and Europe during this period: the ancient silk roads that linked Chinawith the Roman Empire, the spread of the world religions, and the Mongol Empireof the thirteenth century. The author's goal throughout the work is to examinethe conditions--political, social, economic, or cultural--that enable oneculture to influence, mix with, or suppress another. On the basis of its globalanalysis, the book identifies several distinctive pattern of conversion,conflict, and compromise that emerged from cross-cultural encounters. In doingso, it elucidates that larger historical context of encounters between Europeansand other peoples in modern times. _Old World Encounters_ is ideal for studentsof world geography, religion, and civilizations.