Final answer:
The Zoroastrian rulers of Samarkand sent luxurious gifts such as silk garments and hangings, precious metal vessels, and exotic animals to neighboring states to promote trade and diplomacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lavish gifts sent by the Zoroastrian rulers of Samarkand to neighboring states were meant to entice and encourage traders and dignitaries to engage in commerce and diplomacy. These luxurious gifts often included:
- Silk garments and hangings, renowned for their quality and beauty, symbolizing wealth and command over the rich resources of the Silk Roads.
- Precious metal vessels, which reflected the sophistication and artistic skill of the region's craftsmen and added a tangible value to the gifts.
- Exotic animals, symbolizing the reach and influence of the rulers over diverse and vast territories, sometimes intended to underscore their power or confer exotic prestige on the recipients.
The strategy of gift-giving was part of a larger diplomatic and economic policy meant to foster alliances and maintain influence across trading networks. These practices enhanced the power and wealth of the Zoroastrian rulers and ensured a flow of goods and ideas along the vital trade routes.