The Eighth Veil (33 page)
The name for the eastward extensions, “The Silk Road,” was coined by Ferdinand von Richthofen in the mid-nineteenth century, but these routes existed from about 200 BCE onwards with occasional closures dependent on the political conditions at the time.
It is reported that the cost of goods traveling along these trade routes could increase as much as a thousand fold from their point of origin to their destination, so often were they taxed or the caravans that carried them forced to pay tolls and license fees. The Nabataeans were said to offer alternative routes eastward through the Arabian Desert. They kept their routes secret, that is to say the location of the oases along the way. Anyone attempting to cross without this special knowledge risked certain death before reaching the Gulf of Aden. Herod conquered them as much for these routes as to establish his hegemony over the area.
Torah
The Law: The first five books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy (the written Torah). Also included was Oral Torah, interpretations of the Mosaic Law by men like Gamaliel accumulated over many centuries. Some students also include the Psalms because of the teaching value as well as their use in worship.
N.B.
These are notes put together by an author who claims no expertise in the complexities of ancient history or religious thought. He is, first and always, a writer of fiction. Take them for what they are and nothing more.
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