Posted on 09/23/2016 6:22:55 AM PDT by C19fan
They were two powerful, ancient empires separated by more than 5,000 miles of imposing mountain ranges, barren desert and exposed steppe grasslands.
Yet a collection of seemingly unremarkable bones discovered in a Roman cemetery in London has provided new insights into the links between the Roman Empire and Imperial China.
Analysis has revealed that two skeletons dating from between the 2nd and 4th Century AD unearthed at the site in the city's Southwark area may have been Chinese.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
The land route to China may have been much safer before 680 AD.
***There were even Roman soldiers found that were captured in the middle east***
Apparently some Roman soldiers were held captive (or settled ) in the farthest west part of China.
As well, some theories suggest the Magi were from China (as it took them two years to arrive — ie, the timing would be correct if they were following the silk road.)
Polo
Contact is very possible. Maybe even by ship—facts:
1. Roman ships had eyes painted on the bow “so they could see where they were going”—Chinese Junks had eyes on them too.
2. The Chinese cultivated Oranges in south China Canton. Roman city of Pompeii had Oranges growing in the estates of the rich.
3. A canal was dug from the Nile to the Red Sea so ships could pass and sail to India and maybe beyond.
4. Chinese invented Crossbows—at some point Romans had them as well (built large ones too).
5. The Chinese knew of the Roman Empire—the Romans knew of the “land of the Chin” (Chin Dynasty) they called China.
Mr. Willoughby. :)
IIRC, (first time i’ve EVER used that abbr. on FR in 2 years!) the special effects were WAY ahead of their time.
I know what i’m treating myself to this weekend.
Sure there wont be obscenities, torrid sex, and blood curdling violence, but i’ll get by :) yes /s
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