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While Europe was embroiled in wars and commerce, China seemed to have developed as a civilization entirely isolated from the Western world. However, historical records show that China and the West had connections dating back to the Roman Empire. Even during Julius Caesar's era, the Chinese and Roman empires impacted each other in surprising and unexpected ways.
10. A Roman Legion Engaged in Battle in China
In 53 BC, Marcus Crassus commanded a Roman force to invade the Parthian Empire, located in what is now Iran. His goal was to expand Roman influence eastward, but the Parthians were far more formidable than anticipated. The Romans suffered a crushing defeat, Crassus was decapitated, and his troops were slaughtered.
However, one legion might have survived by fleeing eastward instead of retreating west. A popular theory suggests that this Roman legion could have allied with the Hun army as hired soldiers and fought against the Chinese. Ancient Chinese texts mention foreign fighters employing a “fish-scale formation,” which closely resembles the Roman tortoise shield tactic.
The legion was eventually captured by the Chinese and relocated to a settlement named Liqian to guard against Tibetan incursions. There, they likely established families and spent the remainder of their lives. Present-day residents of Liqian exhibit blue eyes, light hair, and Roman-like facial features. Genetic studies reveal that 56 percent of their DNA is of Caucasian origin.
9. A Chinese Diplomat Encountered Caesar Augustus
The Chinese began their exploration of the West around 200 BC and eventually reached Rome during the rule of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, approximately two decades before the birth of Christ.
According to Florus, a Roman historian, a delegation of Chinese envoys arrived in Rome shortly after Augustus ascended to power. Florus speculated that they were captivated by Rome's grandeur, but Chinese records indicate their mission was primarily to investigate the Western world.
The Chinese visitors were strikingly different from the Romans, leaving a lasting impression on those who encountered them. Florus noted, “In truth, their complexion alone made it clear they hailed from a world entirely separate from ours.”
8. Chinese Silk Dresses Sparked Controversy in Rome
Once the Chinese envoys arrived in Rome, the Romans began purchasing Chinese silk in enormous amounts. Pliny the Elder recorded that the empire expended hundreds of millions of sesterces annually on this luxurious fabric.
The Roman senate attempted to outlaw silk due to its exorbitant cost and the trend of Roman women wearing translucent garments. Pliny famously remarked that Chinese silk dresses “conceal a woman while simultaneously exposing her allure.”
While some were outraged, others appreciated the sight of women adorned in these sheer outfits, expressing gratitude toward the Chinese. Despite repeated efforts to prohibit silk, the bans were unsuccessful, and Roman women continued to stir controversy among the elite.
7. A Chinese Laborer Was Discovered in a Roman Burial Site
In a Roman imperial estate known as Vagnari, a skeleton was discovered in a slave cemetery belonging to the emperor. Researchers determined that the man was buried between the first and second century AD and identified him as East Asian, likely of Chinese origin.
The exact circumstances of how a Chinese man ended up in Rome as a servant to the emperor remain unclear, but his presence is undeniable. His death did not garner much respect, as other slaves were buried directly above him.
He was laid to rest with only a single Roman-made pot. Notably, he possessed no Chinese artifacts, suggesting he had fully adapted to the life of a Roman slave.
6. The Parthian Empire Prevented Rome from Trading Directly with China
The Romans produced a type of sea silk extracted from clams and attempted to trade it with China. However, cultural misunderstandings hindered their exchanges. The Romans believed Chinese silk was harvested from leaves, while the Chinese, upon learning about Roman sea silk, dismissed it as a fabrication.
Roman efforts to send envoys to the Han dynasty were thwarted by the Parthian Empire, which controlled all trade routes. The Parthians held a monopoly on dyed silk and were determined to prevent Roman trade from disrupting their dominance.
A Chinese diplomat named Gan Ying attempted to reach Rome but was obstructed by the Parthians. At the Black Sea, Parthian traders persuaded him that the journey would take over two years, despite its short distance. Gan Ying abandoned his mission, allowing the Parthians to maintain their trade monopoly.
5. The Chinese Thought Romans Overthrew Their Kings During Rainstorms
Gan Ying returned with tales about Rome, which he shared with the Chinese. These accounts were later documented by the historian Ban Gu.
Ban Gu provided an extensive account of Rome, detailing its cities, the lives of its common people, and its political system. He noted, “Their kings are not permanent. They choose and appoint the most capable individual. If the kingdom faces unexpected disasters, such as frequent storms or floods, the king is swiftly deposed and replaced.”
He also described Roman roads as infested with “fierce tigers and lions,” claiming that travelers needed at least 100 armed guards to avoid being attacked. Additionally, he mentioned a floating bridge in Rome stretching 100 kilometers (62 miles) in length.
Eventually, Ban Gu dismissed the absurd tales he had gathered and chose not to document the remaining stories.
4. Marcus Aurelius Sent Exotic Animals to China, but They Were Unimpressed
In AD 166, Rome and China established direct contact. An emperor, likely Marcus Aurelius, dispatched an envoy to the East bearing gifts of elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, and turtle shells. These items, considered exotic by the Romans, were intended to impress the Chinese.
The Chinese, however, were unimpressed. They remarked, “The tribute offered was neither valuable nor uncommon,” and questioned whether the tales they had heard about Rome were “possibly overstated.”
Following Aurelius, exchanges between the two nations became frequent. A subsequent envoy delivered a Roman astronomical text to China. In AD 230, Alexander Severus presented colored glass to Emperor Taitsu of Wei. Half a century later, Emperor Carus sent further gifts to China.
By this time, China was widely recognized by the Romans, even earning a place on Ptolemy’s world map.
3. A Flourishing Christian Community Existed in China
During the sixth century, a Christian group known as the Nestorian Church arrived in China. The initial members were two monks dispatched by the emperor to smuggle silkworms, enabling him to establish his own silk industry.
In AD 635, a missionary named Alopen arrived with more honorable goals. Alopen effectively propagated Christianity across China. Over the following 150 years, Chinese Christians built a church in the capital, Chang’an, formed Christian communities throughout northern China, and secured official recognition for the faith from the Tang Empire.
They also translated Christian texts into both Syriac and Chinese. Their efforts significantly influenced Chinese history, as the Syriac script used in these texts became the foundation for the written Mongolian and Manchu languages.
Later, Manchu was adopted as the empire's official language, ensuring that every imperial decree in China was written in a script introduced by Christian missionaries.
2. Roman Coins Discovered Beneath a Japanese Castle
The Romans might have traveled even beyond China. Archaeologists unearthed four copper coins beneath a castle on Okinawa Island, featuring the likeness of Emperor Constantine I. These coins were minted around AD 400.
There is no historical evidence of Romans visiting or interacting with Okinawa, leaving historians puzzled about how the coins ended up there. However, the castle was a significant trading hub for China, suggesting the coins might have been brought by Asian traders familiar with the Roman Empire.
Regardless, Roman influence extended as far as Japan.
1. The Yin and Yang Symbol May Have Originated in Rome
The Taoist yin and yang symbol is one of the most recognizable images associated with China. However, one theory proposes that its origins might trace back to Rome.
Seven centuries before the Taoist yin yang symbol emerged, an identical design appeared in a Roman manuscript titled the Notitia Dignitatum. This document catalogues Roman officials, detailing their roles and the emblems representing their departments. One of these emblems matches the Taoist yin yang precisely.
Although the manuscript dates back to the early fifth century AD, it may have preserved traditional symbols from the era of Augustus. This suggests the yin yang could have been part of Roman culture since the empire's inception.
Alternatively, the Taoists might have independently adopted the same symbol. Nevertheless, it is clear that Rome and China exchanged ideas. Aside from the colors, these symbols are indistinguishable.
