Border Control: The Great Wall helped control trade and movement along the Silk Road. It enabled the Chinese to monitor and tax goods entering and leaving the empire, generating revenue and regulating commerce.
Communication and Transportation: The wall served as a communication network. Signal towers were built along the wall, allowing messages to be relayed quickly over long distances using smoke signals, flags, or drums. Additionally, the wall provided a convenient transportation route for military troops and supplies.
Symbol of Imperial Power: The Great Wall was a powerful symbol of Chinese sovereignty and imperial authority. It demonstrated the strength, unity, and engineering prowess of the Chinese empire, instilling a sense of national pride and identity.