In 400 B.C., The young Macedonian Alexander campaigned in Persia opening new trade route between India and the Mediterranean. After the fall of Rome in 476, many of these routes become closed. It wasn't until 1200 when Genghis Khan pushed through the Middle East and defeated the Ottomans that these routes began to prosper once again!
The routes were open for 800 years, closed for 800 years, and then reopened for 800 years to this day. Assuming the cycle, we should see a seizure of trade beetween the Orient and the West!!!