About this episode
Get early episodes & bonus perks on Patreon: https://patreon.com/DrowsyHistorian Welcome to the Silk Road — not the romanticized highway of cultural exchange you learned about in school, but the gritty, exhausting, lice-ridden reality of life as a 13th-century merchant. In this darkly immersive bedtime story, you’ll navigate deserts that want to kill you, camels that hate you, cities that rob you politely, and trade deals negotiated with one eye on the nearest latrine. This journey takes you step by blistered step through the Mongol Empire’s dusty arteries, where bandits, bribes, dysentery, and fermented mare’s milk are just part of the experience. You’ll pack for the apocalypse, haggle in chaotic bazaars, get lost in the snow, and maybe — just maybe — survive long enough to regret everything. Whether you're here to fall asleep or just need someone to whisper about ancient bureaucracy and parasitic infestations until you pass out, this is your stop. Dim the lights, ignore your camel, and prepare to walk the Silk Road — slowly, painfully, and with far more gastrointestinal distress than expected. 🛏️ Drowsy Historian’s Favorite Sleep Tools Looking to upgrade your nighttime routine? These are a few things I personally use or recommend: • Sleep Earbuds for Enhanced Immersion → https://amzn.to/4pVFoJy • Blanket Soft Enough to Make the Plague Feel Tolerable → https://amzn.to/3GSOq8f • Weighted Blanket for Pretending You’re a Mummified Pharaoh → https://amzn.to/4kVJCgE • Sleep Mask Headphones For Total Historical Escape → https://amzn.to/4nWsNVn • Book Light for Reading About Plagues at 2AM → https://amzn.to/4eSg0iu • White Noise Machine for Blocking Out the 21st Century → https://amzn.to/3GJ9jTw These are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show while staying cozy.