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China and the Roman Orient
The most remarkable story of ancient China's commercial & diplomatic relations with the Roman world. Based on numerous Chinese documents uncovered by the author during several years of research in China during the late 19th century.
Preface
Contents
Introduction
Translations & Chinese Text
Identifications
General Index
Errata
Preface
Contents
Introduction
Translations & Chinese Text
Identifications
General Index
Errata
351 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1885
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2019
The great part about this book was that it includes primary Chinese documents. So, although I don't read Chinese, I appreciate the inclusion.
It was a fascinating history of trading between China and the Middle East. Hirth painstakingly details his evidence for the trade routes into what is now the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. The main trading centre in the west seems to have been the city now called Petra. It was once called Reqem, though the Chinese seem to have called it Li-kan (or Ta-tsin or Fu-lin) for many centuries. Here the Chinese traded for, among other things, the highly prized "kingfisher gem" and the "jewel that shines by night". Although Hirth does not identify these, they surely evoke eilat stone and fluorite (especially chlorophane) respectively, both of which were once found near Aqaba, which he suggests as the most likely port for the inland journey to Petra.
Two fascinating possibilities that he mentions: Li-kan eventually becomes known by a name that sounded like But-lem, the birthplace of the greatest of kings. This, he suggests, is Bethlehem, a name of a place which was extended to the entire country. (p 289)
The other intriguing reference is to a "spirit market" which occurred somewhere en route to Li-kan. This is identified as occurring at Galle in modern day Sri Lanka and, although it may simply be an unusual form of trade between the reticent indigenous people, a wide cultural cross-section of traders from many nations considered that demonic bargains were conducted there. (p281ff)
It was a fascinating history of trading between China and the Middle East. Hirth painstakingly details his evidence for the trade routes into what is now the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan. The main trading centre in the west seems to have been the city now called Petra. It was once called Reqem, though the Chinese seem to have called it Li-kan (or Ta-tsin or Fu-lin) for many centuries. Here the Chinese traded for, among other things, the highly prized "kingfisher gem" and the "jewel that shines by night". Although Hirth does not identify these, they surely evoke eilat stone and fluorite (especially chlorophane) respectively, both of which were once found near Aqaba, which he suggests as the most likely port for the inland journey to Petra.
Two fascinating possibilities that he mentions: Li-kan eventually becomes known by a name that sounded like But-lem, the birthplace of the greatest of kings. This, he suggests, is Bethlehem, a name of a place which was extended to the entire country. (p 289)
The other intriguing reference is to a "spirit market" which occurred somewhere en route to Li-kan. This is identified as occurring at Galle in modern day Sri Lanka and, although it may simply be an unusual form of trade between the reticent indigenous people, a wide cultural cross-section of traders from many nations considered that demonic bargains were conducted there. (p281ff)
June 19, 2017
Very interesting book; would recommend.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews