The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes: The Ancient World Economy and the Empires of Parthia, Central Asia and Han China

2016 | Biography

The Han Empire equalled Rome in the scale of its territories and subject populations. With superior steel manufacturing techniques and crossbow weaponry, the Han created a system of Central Asian transport connections known as the Silk Routes. These conveyed unique Chinese goods as far as Persia and the Roman frontier. Ancient evidence suggests that one-tenth of Roman revenues came from taxing Silk Route commerce in Syria. This book investigates contacts between Rome and the powerful Empires of inner Asia. It explains the development of international commerce, including the role that China and the Xiongnu (Huns) had in the formation of the Silk Routes. The book explores Roman rivalries with the Parthian Empire of Iran, Sogdian intermediaries and imperial contacts with the Kushan Empire which ruled Bactria (Afghanistan) and northern India. The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes explains Rome's impact on the ancient economy and offers perspective on Roman civilisation.

Raoul McLaughlin (Author)