How did the Romans and Chinese interact?

The Ancient Romans loved Chinese silk textiles, but for a long time knew very little of both China and silk production. The silk arrived to Ancient Rome already spun and woven, transported through Asia along the Silk Road.

Why didn’t the Romans invade China?

They lacked the accessibility & large military force to cover that particular region. Rome ended up running out of Romans & resources to have no realistic chance to conquer, occupy & rule the Chinese.

How did the Roman Empire come into contact with China?

Rome and China finally made contact in AD 166. An emperor, believed to be Marcus Aurelius, sent an envoy to the East carrying a bounty of elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, and turtle shells. To the Romans, these were exotic gifts, and Marcus Aurelius must have been determined to win over the Chinese. The Chinese weren’t impressed.

How far east did the Romans go to China?

Rome knew China as Seres, the land from which silk came (at ruinous expense). China knew Rome as Daqin, and perhaps recognized it as the source of glass. However, no Roman that we know of ever got as far as east as China, nor did anyone from China get as far as the Roman empire.

What was the ancient Chinese name for Rome?

The Chinese name for Rome was Daquin or Great Quin. This could be a reference to the Quin Dynasty, and the first emperor of a united China, Quin. This might have been their way of implying that the Roman Empire was on a par with the Quin Empire in terms of greatness.

Did the Romans ever send an envoy to China?

As with the Chinese in Rome, there are no Roman documents confirming that an envoy was sent to China. Nonetheless, Emperor Huan played up the visit of the Romans to help his domestic political situation, as ambassadors from Daquin provided him with a great deal of prestige.