Abstract：The historical literature on the Ancient Silk Roads， which spans a long period of time， traverses vast expanses of territories and exerts far-reaching influences,is rich and bountiful. In an attempt to re-examine the Ancient Silk Roads mainly from a Chinese perspective， this paper tries to clarify geographic reach of the continental and maritime Silk Roads as well as related theoretical concepts, and provide a complementary analysis of the historical routes of the Ancient Silk Roads. It also explores the origin and evolution of the land and maritime Silk Roads,and the historical contexts in which they were used discontinuously,simultaneously or alternatively.
