How Far East Did the Romans Go? (India, Vietnam, China?) DOCUMENTARY [29:11]

YouTube ^ | February 1, 2026 | Invicta

[SunkenCiv]

An exploration of Rome's travels in the far east. Get "The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding Civilization" https://mdsh.io/invictahistory and use code "Invicta" for 10% off.

In this history documentary we seek to answer how far to the east did the Romans go? In previous episodes we covered the preceding links between the east and west which had been formed. Now we follow Roman traders into India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, and beyond! 

How Far East Did the Romans Go? (India, Vietnam, China?) DOCUMENTARY | 29:11 
Invicta | 1.66M subscribers | 131,135 views | February 1, 2026

[frank ballenger]

Hope I didn’t indirectly cause you trouble. Unstable explosives and all.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

I have watched several shows and podcasts on this topic. Its clear that they were in India. Roman coinage was used in ancient Vietnam but that may just have been because it was brought their by Indians. There is some evidence they were in China but its not solid and it may just be that the Chinese knew about the Romans but that the two didn’t actually trade delegations.

[wastedyears]

Not far enough to destroy them all.

[Bobbyvotes]

I am just amazed sailing for months without refrigeration for food.

[wbarmy]

Its clear that they were in India.

The fact that the Apostle Thomas was in India is a separate proof of that. I think Thomas was headed further east when he was martyred.

[SunkenCiv]

IMHO, the only gainsaying comes from landlubbers. From the "Roman trade" keyword:

• The Most Distant Places Visited by the Romans [14:52] [10/11/2025]
  • Ancient China and Rome: 1000 Years of Contact // DOCUMENTARY [06/02/2024]
  • Ancient Chinese Historian Describes The Roman Empire [07/23/2022]
  • Scientists Discover Ancient Sea Wharf (Marine Silk Road) [12/30/2004]
  • Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Maritime Spice Route Between India, Egypt [02/08/2004]
  • Archaeologists Find Silk Road Equal [06/12/2002]
• "Rising Sun" Coins Reveal Extensive Ancient Trade Networks Across Southeast Asia [08/25/2025]
  • Exhibition: Roman Coins in India [2011] [10/13/2022]
  • Mould for minting Roman coins found in Talkad [India] [05/30/2014]
  • Romans vs Khmers: They came, they saw, they traded... or did they? [09/13/2018]
  • When In Vietnam, Build Boats As The Romans Do [04/21/2006]

[SunkenCiv]

Despite centuries of success with large ships built for the Indian Ocean routes, I'd be amazed if the remains of at least a few of those huge ships and their cargoes aren't there to be found on the seafloor.

[Adder]

Had to have gotten to China,,,how else would the Chinese have gotten noodles?

/s

[SunkenCiv]

• [snip] Some people believe that the Roman abacus, which pre-dates the Chinese suan-pan, was introduced into China early in the Christian era by trading merchants. [snip] Abacus: Mystery Of The Bead -- The Bead Unbaffled [10/21/2010]