What did ancient European civilisations (eg. Greece, Rome) know of China and the Far East?

Question

I'm just curious really, I know there was the silk route and everything (though not sure about the date when that was around), but what did regular ancient europeans (as well as the Egyptians I suppose) actually think existed in the East. Did they know about China? Did they travel there and trade with them?

I'm just wondering becasue everyone knows about the discovery of the Americas, but I've always wondered, when did Euope and Asia 'discover' each other, or have they known of each other since the dawn of time? Oh and what about India? I just can't my head round it. How could they know about China and not know about Australia for example?

If you can answer any of my questions it will be appreciated.

Answer 1

You should read the book "Guns,Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. It would answer alot of your questions. Check it out at your local library. His follow-up book is called "Collapse." It is very interesting, informative and a good read too!
There both were on the best sellers list for many months upon there release and are still very popular with young, not so young and old today.
He asks the question why did different cultures develop differently though time and answers in a remarkable interesting read. He also, gives a surmise of what each cultures knew of each other and how the diffusion of ideas more rapidly moved from east to west than from south to north and visa/versa Enjoy!

Answer 2

Well, As you already seem to know, silk has come to Europe from Asia for thousands of year. The Greeks (led by Alexander) conquered parts of India and the average Roman had some awarenes of it and that there were other countries beyond that. Still, the silk route worked in such a way that goods passed from one trader to the next. As a result, even people who were whealthy enough to buy silk knew very little about where it came from and what kind of people produced it. The same way, the average Chinese had strictly no knowledge of the Romans, to quote one famous people of the antiquity. Indeed, India and China weren't "discovered" before Marco Polo in the 15th century. To be fair to our ancestors, the average modern person only has very blunt knowledge of nations outside their own, including countries that are part of the same "civilisation" for want of a better word... look at the portrayal of the French, for instance, in US movies... And vice versa. Crazy, isn't it?

Answer 3

Yes.İn the ancient world and all the history of the world the cultures and states know and visit each other.
Europe and Asia are connected each other by the silk road and the spice road. Also the Anatolia, Middle East and Africa settlers know much about the India and the other Asia inhabitants.
Even they knew American inhabitants. As the historical researches are progressed and the new findings appear I believe that the ancient world relations will be very surprising to us. The ancient world humans was knowing each other and not killing each other as the civilized ? Europeans massacred in the Discovered??? new continents??? new people ??? underdeveloped civilization ????????? for their planned colonialism and imperialism.

Answer 4

There is no official records in Arrian, or others to varify Alexanders knowledge of China. I would like to note diplomatic contact is recording in the time of Marcus Auerelius (Rome) of a china embassy sending gifts, and in reply during the late Han the gift was recipricated to the Emperor. In Three Kingdoms Cao Cao refers to a kingdom that is united the whole of known borders during his efforts to unify the land (post collapse of Han) again the evidence is very sketchy, but that small bit of evidence from both sides remain. As for the Alexandrian sources I have read nothing that would alert me, but one could spectulate on Persian and Indian awareness, again to associate it with Europe is a big step.
I am also alerted to a small chinese myth of a village in the north that has claimed to be invaded. I also heard on here it has become a opera. Though one must consider the magnitutude of Parthia and the logistics of the expedition.
What I have stated above is sketchy at best, though both sources confirm Aurelius, though not certain on the han. Though that comment by Cao Cao could mean Parthia, its up to interpretation (was the comment even made, or does even the supposed evidence exist). It is interesting question personally the Opera seems to vague and to clarify it as Romans is a large step. The comment is 2nd hand at best, though fragments of Aurelius are most interesting. As for Australia, it is very hard to supply and support a expedition force, Australia was Isolated by thick south east Asia forest, and water and non-reciprocal exploration. These questions are interesting and society and people change.

Answer 5

yes, look up information on the silk road trade routes.

aussieland is a loooooong way by boat from china. and it's possible that the ancients discovered it but didn't find anything to trade and therefore a reason to make the long trip back.

Answer 6

There were Greek traders in southern India.

There are also unconfirmed reports of a Roman legion that was captured in one of Rome's defeats fighting for the Chinese on their western borders. I also have in the back of my mind that there were some Romans who actually visited China.

Answer 7

161 AC
An embassy from Emperor Marcus Aurelius reaches Chinese emperor Huan-ti.

Answer 8

The alexander the great when he travel to india has discovered peoples who claim that they are greeks and they for father whas the hercules.
there is also stories of dionysos (not the god :p) who traveled to india.
i dont know about china.
for more answers about greece you can be a member to Hellas magazine(its free)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HellasMag/

Answer 9

They trade silk and spices, I dont know much but I know they do lots of trade in the 14th century