Did Rome and China Know Each Other?

In this video, we look at the possible interactions between Ancient Rome and Ancient China.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/fireoflearning
Picture Sources/credits:
By Gabagool - Own work, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Javierblas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
CC SA 1.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Tor Svenssoncommons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By User:Kaidor - File:Silk Road in the I century AD - ru.svg, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Neil Carey www.flickr.com/photos/ncarey/ - www.flickr.com/photos/ncarey/..., CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By The original uploader was Stw at German Wikipedia. - Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

[@jeffdoeskungfu]

Well as a Chinese American who just visited Italy, I must say both cultures have excellent noodles. History is delicious.

[@lukelim5094]

🍜 Noodles is life.

[@aaronvenema]

Hey, ABC, don’t come to China, by Chinese law you’re a Chinese citizen. They will trap you in the red dragon.

[@jeffdoeskungfu]

Aaron Venema Thanks for the heads up. I made it out okay the last couple times I went, but I’ll do what I can to stay safe.

[@SammyCee23]

send noods

[@yakovmatityahu]

Hello Jeff..Jesus loves you... believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved...

[@MetalLP]

Ancient Rome: there might be another great empire somewhere. People now: there might be another inteligent life form in the universe.

[@publicopinion3596]

Who knows lol

[@miguelmontenegro3520]

So few digital lights making up words, and so much impact. Good Job Sir. Very profound.

[@iliveinsideyourhouse3943]

There a lots things that we don't know about earth and peoples already wants to know about the truth of the universe.

[@marcov8796]

I live inside your house we can’t do both jeez

[@supercooled]

That’s why we have a space probe named after the megellan.

[@kiardothefirst8011]

*Roman Empire* - "Hey, China, wanna be friends and trade and shiz ?" *Han China* - "Sure, i'd really like that" *Parthian Empire* - *Jealous face* "i'll put a stop to this"

[@lucisleesion8824]

that's the truth! And Chinese did trade with Persians until the the Age of Discovery when people in Europe tried so hard to find the “China” in mystery.

[@ercankilic5782]

kiardo the First fuck england and fake history

[@rosesblue1218]

but why? don't understand? they would have made bigger profit.

[@georgeptolemy7260]

@@rosesblue1218 horse archers prob

[@kirbyjaeger2506]

@@ercankilic5782 well. what's the real history?

[@perfectallycromulent]

I have the same Roman coin. I can confirm that Roman money made it to Long Island by the 1980s.

[@dkm4338]

facinating truly amazing

[@CarlXVIGustafBernadotte420]

roman colonies in the americas confirmed?

[@GhostofRhurValley]

its a joke man come on you know that

[@archdukefranzferdinand567]

@@GhostofRhurValley woooosh

[@GhostofRhurValley]

you just wooshed yourself don't woosh if your not sure

[@tracepillar8382]

China. Biggest exporter since 125 BC

[@maxwellli7057]

Britain and the US in 1800's *Are we jokes to you*

[@maxwellli7057]

@S RG Im pretty sure Britain and the US were both big on manufacturing at the time

[@maxwellli7057]

@S RG yea ik, its sad that some people dont even know about all the British war crimes.

[@dickmelsonlupot7697]

@S RG India isn't the only source. They got their sh××t from other places as well like Africa and the Middle East which had a significant impact in the Middle East today

[@pewpew9711]

@S RG *sTeAliNg dOesNt CoUnT*

[@majestichotwings6974]

“Did Rome and China have contact with each other?” -Laughs in bubonic plague

[@Cjnw]

* laughs in #Fortnite

[@festethephule7553]

@@Cjnw Er...no. What does Fortnite have to do with this?

[@oaktree2406]

Laughs in spacejew

[@landlockedcroat1554]

bubonic

[@symphonyoforder]

*Laughs in Coronavirus*

[@margarida9023]

Me: today I'm gonna sleep early Me at 4 am: So like Romans and Chineses back in the days know each other??????????

[@MariaGonzalez-ur4bi]

Same

[@gartr22]

@@MariaGonzalez-ur4bi me right now

[@Lawliet734]

@ah The plural of Chinese is Chinese.

[@margarida9023]

@@Lawliet734 english is not my first language :(( pls don't kill me

[@sourgreendolly7685]

ah ah I think they were just letting you know. Mistakes are part of learning, you’re doing great!

[@andyjay729]

Were there fans of Asian culture in ancient Rome? If so, were they called "viabvv"?

[@zeroeffortmemes]

🤣

[@ThEPwNCreAtoR]

I chuckled, thanks.

[@jackalope2302]

Yvp

[@bigdthe8th455]

shit i am dead

[@arcsite1862]

Hi! Can you explain this joke to a Russia-speaking guy? :) via is road, yes? Is it a referrence to Silk Road?

[@stargazer4683]

Made in China in ancient times lol

[@1993Redemption]

from the most coveted and expensive silks/goods to cheap toys, clothing, and appliances.

[@ericcloud1023]

Oh how the quality of Chinese goods has fallen

[@undefinedwewew9434]

@@ericcloud1023 In fact, China does not only have cheap, poor quality goods, but also produces many products of high quality, but at a slightly more expensive price. The question is what kind of price to buy what kind of product. The goods imported by many intermediate traders depend on the products accepted in their country. For example, the same two importers import the same commodity from China. The price is low and the quality is not good, but the market acceptance is high, then the poor quality Chinese goods will fill the market in your country. In fact, in the Chinese market, many Chinese people know that the quality is poor, we will never buy. But foreign customers are asking us to make them, giving them a very low price so that they can get higher profits and lower sales prices. Therefore, the quality will inevitably decline. There is a famous saying in China, what kind of price determines the quality. Don't forget, basically all the high-quality products around you, many of which are also produced in China. It depends on how popular your market is. In other words, your own country has chosen those low quality products. We take orders and produce them according to the order. Good quality and higher price, your market is slow to ship, nothing more.

[@undefinedwewew9434]

@misa smith Very good, stick to your thoughts, hahaha

[@liangjiang3122]

@@1993Redemption I don't think we ever accused of anyone stealing our technology.

[@VladiSSius]

Rome and China : "Hey let's be friends!" Parthian : *IM GOING TO END THESE MEN'S WHOLE RELATIONSHIP*

[@arabempire2257]

The ancient Roman Empire was a Syrian Arab before being dominated by Latin army leaders Also the Parthian Empire was Arab

[@dagalealtd4888]

@@arabempire2257 are you high or something?

[@uyfhkgc4468]

2000 years ago Roman Empire: hey Imperial Han, we want to trade with you. Imperial Han China: okay Ffw today: Italy: hey China, do trade again China: ok.

[@artman7780]

Only this time, Italy is the first colony of China in Europe.

[@meandmetoo8436]

I can imagine the EU as a modern day SPQR SPQR : one more province EU : one more country

[@jiashengyan9484]

@Pure Mrax Stop pretending to be Chinese, no Chinese thinks it in that way, trading benefit both sides

[@stevej1235]

Well, at least now Italy is the first Europe country cooperated with China one belt one road, the silk road has been connected for 2000 years

[@lucisleesion8824]

@Pure Mraxif you are Chinese, just type "I do not speak English“ in Chinese!

[@HRH-vc6jj]

So glad i found this channel, ive always loved history, it has the most interesting characters, plot lines, greatest thinkers, selfless or violent individuals, all its worthy of our attention, whether it inspires us or terrifies us.

[@katiedoughty6160]

Plus this gent has the most soothing voice whilst throwing knowledge at us

[@andyhan5008]

1001 Helen Of Troy check out the history of the “war of heavenly horses” cuz that’s what’s introduced each other to create the Silk Road in the first place

[@mrmarmellow563]

Nice One Babe!

[@MitzvosGolem1]

1001 Helen Of Troy just don't start another war ok

[@MitzvosGolem1]

Agnostic Imperialist Ultra Nationalist So that is not true coming from a Victor ? lol

[@johnapple6646]

But... There's a Jackie chan movie about this. Jackie Chan movies are historical, right?!?!

[@holiday5774]

not seriously

[@zhuozhuoqihua5525]

John Apple That movie has something in common.Rome ，Parthian and the Han.

[@lefyre1266]

Of course

[@RoastyMyToasty]

So you're telling me Dragon Blade wasn't a documentary?!?!?!

[@juiweiyang1033]

I just watch a Chinese TV series, it is base on a real story that took place in Han dynasty China (about 2000 years ago). it was about how a girl from a country west of China was sold into slavery into China, became married to crown prince and eventually became the queen of China. (During that time, slavery still exist in China, despite the Han dynasty government was anti slavery, but, much like US prior to the civil war, the government could do very little to end slavery, most slaves are from the west of the silk road, sold into China via Persia) Description of this woman's appearance from historical record, reflect what we today refer to as caucasian. It is unclear where she is from, she might be born as a slave, due to Romans use Gaul and Germanics as slaves and their children continue to be slaves and most slaves sold to China, via Persia, are born as slaves. This story was made in a TV series twice in China, (considering it is an ultimate real life Cinderella story) but the last 2 time, they cast an Asian actress to play the role, this time, it is the first time, they cast a white actress, to play the role. (Well, not 100% white, the actress that play the character is half white half Asian, but...close enough) Although tabloid said this actress wants to play a historical figure set in ancient China for a long time, but due to been 50% white, never got cast, this time, with a character that is suppose to be white, she fought very hard for the role, originally the producers was planning to cast another Asian actress to play the character. (Because the concept of race didn't exist till 16th century, most early record, went into detail to describe the appearance of those who are obviously not Asian, but, never mention the person's race, as a result, Asia drama, frequently use Asian actors and actresses to play pre 16th century none Asian historical figures, ignoring historical record from the time, shows, obviously the person is not racially Asian, especially if they can cast big shot actor or actress to play the role, consider these dramas are meant to be fictional base on real story, not a documentary) With exception of this main character all other character in the drama that are born and slave and are suppose to be white or black, are still play by Asian actors. (Slavery end in China by 10th century. Consider slavery only end in the west by the 19th century, it is proud to say, Asia end slavery almost 1000 years before the west)

[@PhuryousOne]

Traveling the Silk Road would have been one hell of an adventure back then.

[@iamnoone348]

And dangerous too... imagine bandits taking your merchandise and then they either kill you or abduct you and make you a slave.

[@Barry018018]

you always have to take risk in order to get treasure

[@quarion125]

It’s even more dangerous now

[@ptegegn1]

the Axumite Empire was getting rich partly because the romans wanted another trade route to china and India excluding Persia.

[@amarsofiane]

they did make a big stick

[@ptegegn1]

@@amarsofiane ha.... you have also watched the "history of everything" video ;) you have no idea how proud i was when the empire that was built by my people was mentioned in that video.

[@withastickangrywhiteman2822]

Persians earned most money...

[@amarsofiane]

@@ptegegn1 one kf the greates videos on this platform period, Bill Wurtz is internet treasure

[@ptegegn1]

@@amarsofiane i will have to agree! you are 100% right!

[@ihavetowait90daystochangem67]

When your Chinese Friend met up with that Italian exchange student

[@zhx6922]

I don't think modern Italy has anything to do with the Roman Empire. You should say Greece.

[@THEMEISTER004]

@@zhx6922 it was a joke

[@zhx6922]

@@THEMEISTER004 OK

[@zhx6922]

@Calamity OK, I just think Greece is more representative of Rome than Italy.

[@seanocarraigh7064]

??? Rome was in Italy, Italian is derived from Latin, etc.

[@user-tg9ov2vo8l]

Rome was called 大秦 (Great Qin) by ancient Chinese.

[@user-tg9ov2vo8l]

Byzantine=拂菻(Fu Lin) Pesia=大食(Great Shi)

[@alenimelis4969]

hfut Chen do you know the village in Western China where the people are all Green eyed and have European looks it's left over from the Roman mixing

[@dennythedavinchi3832]

Any countries on far west referred as 秦 cause it's last place Laozhi disappeared.

[@Pao234_]

@@alenimelis4969 no, they are turkic

[@Sp1n1985]

@@Pao234_ that's what he said

[@easportsaxb8057]

Probably the most interesting and fascinating video you've ever made. I'm actually from Italy and I was born there and I moved to Australia when I was 11, about 4 or 5 years ago. I always loved history, and I always had a particular interest in Roman, Greek, Egyptian, American and Asian history. I always wanted to know whether Romans and Chinese ever met, but I only had very vague answers. Thanks to your channel, I finally had a satisfying and incredibly interesting answer. The way you explained makes it even more interesting. Thank you!

[@telebubba5527]

Funny you should say that! I made the same trip the other way around in the 60's (age 9): but from Australia to Europe, but then by bootcamp since it was cheaper at the time. An Italian boot and the first port in Europe was Genova. And of course the first thing I did was visite a castle. I'm also very interested in history, probably because of the lack of it in Australia. I already knew about this story, the ancient Romans loved silk. But what is not realized much is that a lot of Italian cuisine really originates from China: pasta, risotto are both Chinees in origin. They are Italian adoptions of Chinese dishes. Interestingly many dishes can be traced throughout central Asia, the silk road route, like mom's (Nepal) which converted to ravioli in Italy! Also interestingly: a terracotta army soldier is being shown in the video. That has nothing to do with the Roman's, but does with the Greeks! Before Greek influence in Central Asia (Alexander the Great), the Chinese were not simply capable of making life like statues! There is a very interesting BBC documentary about this subject. There is so much more interesting stuff to learn about history than we get from schools, it's sometimes kind bogging. I encourage you to to investigate more, but check your source and reflect the on the given information. Use common sense, no aliens and stuff like that and you'll be right! Keep an open mind, even if it 'hurts' your own culture. Humanity is a more complex than we are learnt at schools, but so much more sensible when you work out how things really relate to each other.

[@easportsaxb8057]

Thanks for your advice. I will always have a balance between skepticism and open mindedness. Also, what's the name of the BBC documentary? When I was moving, I actually really enjoyed aboriginal history. I find it fascinating as aboriginals are such an ancient and mysterious culture. Where about in Italy do you live?

[@zedantXiang]

I'm at rome as chinese,curiosity too.

[@easportsaxb8057]

@@zedantXiang Do you speak Italian?

[@zedantXiang]

@@easportsaxb8057 I've been here from when I was a sperm. yes

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Romans tried to reach China, but was deterred by a sign in Beijing saying, "Romanes eunt domus".

[@maxmuller8633]

That is hell

[@merrittanimation7721]

They spent the next few centuries correcting their grammar and by the time they stopped Rome had long since collapsed.

[@remandstimpy]

People called Roman they go the house? What's that s'posed to mean?

[@chaseblackstone8749]

Wait.. Life of Brian?

[@chaseblackstone8749]

Lmao

[@john2432]

*_Next video, did the Mesopotamians know the Mesoamericans?_*

[@ahmosis5280]

No, did the Emus ever made any contact with the Iroquois? More interesting topic.

[@KazmirRunik]

_Did the people from Java know about ActionScript?_

[@andyjay729]

Nope. BUUUUUT...there's still some claims that the Polynesians made it to South America. On the coast of Chile some people found some chicken bones which according to some radiocarbon tests predate the arrival of the Spanish. The Polys had chickens.

[@pithecophagajefferyi7460]

Did the Indians know India?

[@gridlock2835]

Pithecophaga jefferyi no just KZbin

[@lukasmrazek5209]

5:00 The legendary Blue Eyes Greek soldier! I've heard there were only four of those in the entire world!

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Excellent overview of an important and interesting topic.

[@Tanu.90]

Thank you for your great work and effort! I simply love this channel!Keep the fire of learning burning, good luck!

[@mementomori8791]

Amazing content. I’m glad I found this channel.

[@CarrowMind]

I sure am fired up to learn something today, boss!

[@SM-qk7jv]

Excellent video. Keep up the great work.

[@ma.cannon2849]

Amazing… I was literally thinking about this topic the other day and here you go 💪🏾💪🏾 Keep doing your thing bro!

[@michaelcoleman8278]

Absolutely brilliant concept! Thanks for exploring it!

[@b00i00d]

Cool vid - demystified a few misconceptions I had

[@NFTenjoyer]

Part of the reason why Europeans explored the oceans and in particular tried to find a route to India from Europe during the "age of discovery" was the Persians cutting off the spice supply from India and China.

[@rickyboii5971]

Wasn't it the Ottoman Empire?

[@komradekevinthekommuneistd7362]

nope twas the twrks

[@komradekevinthekommuneistd7362]

* turks *

[@shinsenshogun900]

@@komradekevinthekommuneistd7362 they are the Ottoman Turks comrade

[@QuadroonImperator]

That was the Ottomans

[@Richard_is_cool]

Love this topic, so happy you cover'd it! You have a delightful channel.

[@inferno_slayer]

Awesome video, it’s amazing to learn about these things you don’t hear about

[@katiedoughty6160]

Solid video, love your content!!!

[@Alex-iw8tz]

I am Chinese and when I visited Greece and Italy , I will normally check the time and compare the same time in china, to get some conclusions. Which represents what the technology and human life is in known world that time.

[@lucascampos4131]

This channel is so good.

[@jeremyjj3866]

This channel is low-key one of my favorites on KZbin

[@user-to8wr4vv9z]

The following is the name of the western countries in ancient China：Rome--Da qin India--Boluoduo /Sheng du/Tian zu/Xin du; Nepal--Ni po luo Bhutan--Zu yu Sri Lanka--Xi lan Pakistan--Xin du Iran--Bo si/An xi Saudi Arabia--Nei zhi/Han zhi Arab Empire--Da shi Turkey--Aosiman Russian--Luo sha....

[@liangjiang3122]

地理学的不错哦，可惜这些古国都没了。

[@user-mc9qb4re2f]

ID笑尿😂

[@Potatoman1578]

Can u also translate whats the meaning behind those words, please? I know for example that "Da" is great, right?

[@yuhangyuan7617]

@@Potatoman1578 I can explain some of them. I would say most op mentioned are based on pronunciations, like: Iran(Persia) -> Bo si(Per sia); Russia -> Luo sha (Ru sia); etc... But Rome is kinda complicated, it can either from the pronunciation of Dasnia, or it is based on the meaning, the great other china or the great rich (empire).

[@anon-iraq2655]

@@Potatoman1578 arab (abbasid) empire -black robes (probably) Aosiman -ottomans

[@sleazymeezy]

Yo, this is pretty cool. I've been really into my classics after finding historia civilis, and this is one of the subsequent channels I've binge watched. The hour long doco on to me had info I handed heard elsewhere (:

[@stalker14071a]

Thank you for the very interesting material!

[@ARiter]

Fascinating, I can't wait to dive deeper into this. Do you have any recommended reading on this subject? A list of sources on this would also be appreciated.

[@imstupid4life]

Well silkroad would be a start.

[@Barry018018]

"Journey to the West"

[@Barry018018]

史記

[@mikeissweet]

Fire of Amazing Videos

[@thewanderingrey8830]

In short; Ancient Romans and Ancient China did not interact more closely due to intermediate empires between them (Parthians and Kushans mainly) seeking to control the middleman business of Silk Road trade. The first recorded Roman "embassy" to China came not from overland route but by sea from Jiaozhi (now in Vietnam)

[@ericcloud1023]

Just discovered your channel and I've already subscribed! Love history and therefore your channel. Keep up the amazing historical video's

[@CheemsofRegret]

Speaking of China, will you ever make a video on The Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

[@jdvk7243]

whats that

[@zCopyCatz]

@@jdvk7243 Near the end of China's Han Dynasty (the golden age for China), China split into three warring states and Wu, Wei and Shu are the biggest ones of them all.

[@user-bu3vu8xz5c]

Big Black Rock 👍 But one correction: not "shi," but "shu."

[@zCopyCatz]

@@user-bu3vu8xz5c ohh must have forgotten it. Thanks for the head ups

[@SammyCee23]

I heard the Three Kingdoms Romance was amazing time

[@polandballhistorian8537]

the chinese and greco-bactria fought a war that directly/indirectly led to the construction of the silk road!

[@koonkoon01]

for Ferghana Horses

[@durhiguin2926]

@@koonkoon01. Reminder the horse is central Asian breed not European.

[@polandballhistorian8537]

horses come from north america

[@ericcloud1023]

For those sweet heavenly horses. Lol

[@andrewforte3852]

The War of the Heavenly Horses.

[@youcantata]

It is not that surprising at all. Even old Korea at that time (Shinla Dynasty) had trade relationship with Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). Some roman relics like glass cups, glass beads and ornamental dagger of Roman/Black Sea origin were found in excavation of royal tombs in Kyngju (capital of Shinla)

[@xinyiquan666]

BS, there was no any nation in korea at the time roman existed , korea only has about 1500 year history

[@leolau5026]

an nice Agree with most of the statements except the last sentence.

[@xinyiquan666]

@an nice stop ur fck BS, GOGOULI /GEROGURY is a chinese state, u dumbass ,it was a chinese local regime under rulling of han dynasty, u dumbass , got ur dog brain washed by ur liar govertment, korea only has short history around 1500 years, and korea has no their own lanuages but had to steal chinese as their offcial lanauges, so all korean history are recorded in chinese, thats why no korean today can read their history book because no korean can read chinese today, thats why both north and south korea govertment make up history saying korea has 5000 years history, my ass, 5000 years ago, koreans were still maggots, the so called Gojoseon is a mythology story , not a real history, dumbass, its firstly appreared in 12th century made up by a monk in a casual novel book, dumbass, learn chinese and then read ur history class, before 12th century, there is no gojoseon in any book of history in korea, dumbass also gojoseon is a chinese word litterally written as" gu chao xian （古朝鲜） pronounced as" gu chao xian", meaning an ancient location in northeast china, it is a chinese word and chinese concept, not even a korean thing, the korean monk in 12th century borrowed this word from china and make up a mythology story, u uneducated dumbass also chinese han dynasty is around 2000 years ago, u dumbass uneducated, while korea was still primitive tribes at that time, and han dynasty ruled most part of today's korea penisula, the entire north korea and half of south korea was part of han dynasty back to 2000 years ago, the chinese-korea border was around middle of today's south kroea back to that time, dumbass

[@cl0206]

@@xinyiquan666 lmao you are too ruthless

[@daniellee8752]

@@xinyiquan666 whew glad i wasn't brainwashed in China, otherwise I'd be spouting nonsense like the shit coming out your mouth

[@LordGabriel427]

Absolutely amazing insight on yet another by-passed historical fact.

[@deckard3755]

Interesting stuff. Thanks. Got yourself a new subscriber.

[@bebos1262]

Parthia feared the connection of the two great civilizations. Probably feared a double team against them. Great video btw, man. Keep it up👍

[@Potatoman1578]

China was always supporting Iranian empires though

[@mojojojo6758]

They would support parthia against rome though... Cause they both fought against steppe tribes

[@chitoim2332]

Are you a "mexicoon"

[@mrjehbaldwin]

That’s a hell of a mic. You can hear someone lock their car and the horn toot @5:42/3. Not a dig on you, it’s just impressive. I listen for the sound of turning pages on Audilble too.

[@mrjehbaldwin]

Andrew Aaron Zheming Bao Hobestly, don’t feel bad about it. I like catching the little things like that. There sort of like audio Easter eggs haha.

[@hidupsehat5205]

Great video 👍🏻- I had no idea 💡

[@AxiomApe]

What an awesome lesson. Subscribed

[@u06jo3vmp]

When Zhang Qian張騫, the emperor's ambassador, traveled through central Asia to find allies to fight the Xiongnu together at around 100BC, he visited Parthia安息 and was unimpressed by its military might. He thought they wouldn't be helpful for the war against Xiongnu. The nation he found most worthy was Rouzi月氏, which later migrated south, conquered India and became the Kushan empire.

[@sebastien4908]

The Roman map is pretty creepily accurate to what these landmasses look like, and they did it all without modern space technology

[@mightyx5441]

Bro our maps are still innacurrate how is africa and indonesia so small compared to the usa and europe

[@blorac9869]

I' ve subscribed, liked, commented and watched commercials. The best I can do during these days, hope it helps! TYVM!

[@JCO2002]

Actually knew most of that already, but a great summary. Thanks.

[@FreedInPieces]

If I had a time machine, I would travel back to Rome and go with a caravan all the way.

[@trawmmwart8149]

are you a slave?

[@clairee4939]

There was a woman who drove to China from the UK a while back！

[@toledomarcos70]

I have read of a Roman delegation reaching China when Hadrian was emperor of Rome. And that some of the vict

[@Filled2105]

Hadrian? Do you mean Adrian?

[@shooterrick1]

No, Hadrian. His may be spelled differently in different languages. In English it's Hadrian.

[@thefirstprimariscatosicari6870]

And then they stole some silk worms.

[@dagalealtd4888]

@@thefirstprimariscatosicari6870 that was during the time of Justinian the Great

[@mostlycusimbored]

Best video ive watched on this subject

[@razerblade9508]

Thank you very much for making this video. Love from ancient China

[@chad_bro_chill]

Seeing 4:25 really puts me in awe of just how much the ancient Romans knew about the world as a whole (to a degree, anyway). Astounding.

[@KyuuDesperation]

Ancient Romans knew better than most people today.... I'm talking about Flat Earthers and people who think Dinosaurs are 6000 Years Ago.

[@juanjuri6127]

Historian Florus referring to the arrival of envoys to the court of emperor Augustus: *"Even the rest of the nations of the world which were not subject to the imperial sway were sensible of its grandeur, and looked with reverence to the Roman people, the great conqueror of nations. Thus even Scythians and Sarmatians sent envoys to seek the friendship of Rome. Nay, the Seres (possibly a name of China) came likewise, and the Indians who dwelt beneath the vertical sun, bringing presents of precious stones and pearls and elephants, but thinking all of less moment than the vastness of the journey which they had undertaken, and which they said had occupied four years. In truth it needed but to look at their complexion to see that they were people of another world than ours."*

[@thefinest7574]

Juan Juri the seres were more likely central Asians then chinese. A description of them makes them out to be white looking in accordance with the Greco Indians who were the middlemen from the Chinese to the middle easterners and then the middle easterners sold it to the romans

[@silversurfergw]

Very interesting and informative

[@harryflashman8996]

Fascinating video

[@g-rexsaurus794]

I don't think you are right in saying that the Mongols extended the life of the Byzantines, many Turks came with the Mongol invasion, allegedly some of the first Ottomans too.

[@onuraslanfb07]

Byzantines would die either by turks or some other empires.Because of the fourth crusade byzantium was literally fucked(pls excuse my language but what crusaders did was really bad)

[@vasileiospapazoglou2362]

They did they destroyed turks and we lived 50 to 100 years more if we were not separated we could have destroyed the turks but we weren't.

[@onuraslanfb07]

Btw turks didn’t came with mongol invasions they came 130 years before the mongol invasion

[@envinyatar5712]

@@onuraslanfb07 He was refering to the Battle of Ankara in 1402. Emir Timur, a direct descendent of Ghengis Khan, had defeated Sultan Bayezid the Thunder, putting an contemporary end to the Ottoman control in Anatolia.

[@supercooled]

I have an ottoman. Made in China sold by Walmart.

[@Pacmanite]

4:19 “Roman historians such as Vergil...” Vergil [/Virgil, the English spelling varies between continents] was a poet, not a historian. He mentions many far-off places in his epic poem, the Aeneid, a mythological poem about a Trojan hero (some 1200 years before Vergil) who was said to have settled in Italy. While Vergil’s work is historically valuable for understanding the Roman conception of the world, he could hardly be called a “historian” in an era when actual historians such as Livy were writing historical accounts and expressing cautious scepticism of mythical narratives.

Awesome channel! New sub. Regards from Brazil.

[@sp4rtavus244]

I love this guys vids.

[@octoman_games]

Romans offered Pharaoh Silk as respect when they went to Egypt to show their respects

[@MrRoccoMarchegiano]

I know it sounds silly, but, if you look at boxing history you'll find more connections between Rome and China.

[@6idangle]

Man this is fascinating to think about!

[@pioXXi]

Nice video :)

[@Mark-en8hj]

Ancient China vs Ancient Rome, That will be a Great History

[@craigme2583]

I cant believe so few people have watched this.

[@bes03c]

Great video. I just subbed.

[@Exotic_Tofu]

Fascinating!

[@scottmantooth8785]

separated by a wall of dragons and other frightening things

[@jeffsanders1609]

Actually Greek states founded by Alexander the Great were still ruling Northwest India, Afghanistan, and Persia when Jesus was born. Think about that! After Alexander died his vast empire was carved up. We usually think about Greece "dying" so Rome could rise but in Persia the Parthian Emptie lasted from 247BC-224AD and was ruled by the Greeks even though they were the minority Same with Afghanistan where Greek Bactria existed from 256BC-125BC before the Parthians retook them And in Northwestern India and modern day Pakistan Greeks from Greek Bactria did what even Alexander couldn't do and conquered parts of India founding the Indo-Greek Kingdom that would let from 180BC-10AD! So in the year 0 Greeks were ruling Persia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India and of course were trading with the Chinese and each other. Pretty awesome huh?!

[@vasileiospapazoglou2362]

Even before just read what kind of dog had alkiviadis when he was a kid. And you will understand that Greeks had much earlier relationship.

[@user-hj2nk6nj6w]

alexander is macedonian not greek, u dumb

[@jeffsanders1609]

Море Пясък Oh I guess I imagined all the Greek mythology, government, and architecture his empire spread throughout the world then. My bad

[@jeffsanders1609]

βασιλης παπαζογλου well yea but my point is most people, including me for a long time, have thought of the Greek glory days ending when Rome took over but instead, to the East, Greek civilization thrived on and that's really fascinating to me

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@user-hj2nk6nj6w He was culturally Greek, as was his father. He was tutored by Aristotle for god's sake. You're being pedantic.

[@Wood_969]

Amazing. 💚

[@TraftonCrandall]

This was a fascinating lesson! I have always been fascinated by Ancient Rome, and now to learn about the contact between these two great civilizations... Amazing! Keep Up the Great Work U are doing! 😎👽🏰🎃😇

[@IGotBoergs]

diamondback72 these emojis give poor 3rd world children cancer

[@TraftonCrandall]

@@IGotBoergs You just made the long list of 2019's most obvious attempts at bush league trolling, Sir.

[@D_Marrenalv]

"No one knows how it is made; they say it is spun on the loom of the gods...they call it: 'silk'..."

[@moladiver6817]

Wanderers and travelers have existed at all times. It's how humanity spread out over the globe in the first place. While extremely challenging back then traveling the continents was definitely possible and far easier than the first trip to Mars is going to be. Physically it was very much possible so I'm convinced at least a few Romans made it to China and vice versa. Finding evidence though is the hardest part.

[@michaelweston409]

Mola Diver of course a aunymous persons definition is somebody that could possibly exist in the world but whos scenario hasn’t played out to the public attention. It’s like a unknown timeline in space. So of course many people’s stories have gone unnoticed throughout time and were never remembered but it’s almost certain humans from all types of civilizations ventured out as wanderers or explorers.

[@e.rudsar1633]

Fascinating..

[@TransparentlyDuplicitous]

I don't know why I was recommended this by KZbin's "highly sophisticated" algorithm, but I learned something interesting about two of the most important powers in a very notable time period. Subscribed!

[@NapoleonCalland]

8:24 how many armies taught their infantry to do this? If the Chinese had reported that the "foreign" soldiers had formed a "porcupine" or a "hedgehog", then Grecian soldiers would have been more likely. But "fish-scale"? 6:00 depending on the dates (and bearing in mind the time involved in making the journey, as said at the outset of the video) the emperor referred to could be either Marcus Aurelius, or his predecessor and (adoptive) father Antoninus Pius. 4:10 The fact that Romans called China "The Land of Silk", or "China", while the Chinese called Rome *The Other China* says a lot about the difference in mentalities between the two empires … 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@nodosa994]

I think Fishscale can refer to Greek soldiers holding Thureo Shields, something the late Hellenic soldiers used during this time frame, but we can never be too sure since it could outright just be one of the Oasis states or something else entirely.

[@NapoleonCalland]

@Yuri Victorius Have you ever played Go, or studied Daoism? ;)

[@user-dq6bq3rh3s]

I am a Chinese and using fish-scale to describe an army is not common in ancient China because the country does not have a tradition to use roman style heavy infantry. (unlike Romans who can use the navy to transport them around, using heavy infantry in China is impractical as its strategic mobility is terrible.) Drawings from that era seem to include large shields in tight formation which look like fish scales (this again may seem weird to westerners because the most common Chinese river fish has relative huge scales).

[@Thormil576]

计天仁 From many representations I’ve seen the ancient Chinese using vaguely similar heavy infantry (at least fulfilling the same role as Roman legionnaires would). Certainly Chinese armies favored infantry over cavalry in their campaigns. But I’d have to research more before totally disagreeing with u lol. The Roman testudo (tortoise) shield formation was fairly unique which may have been new to the Chinese, causing them to describe it as “fishscale” Also I’m always jealous that China was able to survive much the same as it was back then, to the present. While Rome fell and it’s language now extinct. I wonder why China was able to rebound more effectively lol. Much respect to China

[@tsopmocful1958]

@@Thormil576 The ability of China to 'survive' in the way you are jealous of is a mixed blessing, and I think it is an indication of the different mentalities between the East and West built up over thousands of years. The Taoist and Confucian heritage of China encouraged a cyclical view of history that prioritised stability. The Socratic heritage and Abrahamic influence on the West encouraged a linear view of history that prioritised individual freedom. China was a huge mainland block of well established ethnicity while the West was a peninsula made up of smaller peninsulas with a variety of peoples who moved around a lot. All of this led to China being an inward looking civilization that saw the outside as either a threat, a source of tribute and trade or barbarians to be ignored. Their history is a cycle of stable, centralised and rigid imperial rule punctuated by periods of chaos. The West looked outwards and saw frontiers to explore, conquer and expand into, with different peoples moving and morphing into many different kingdoms, empires and cultures. The Roman Empire technically existed right up until the fall of Constantinople in the 15th century, but changed constantly in form up until then. And of course Western history tended towards decentralisation of power, from the beginnings of democracy in Greece to the various revolutions that ushered in the modern age from the Renaissance and Reformation onwards. The West started building ships while the East was still building walls. That is why China suffered British gunboats coming up its rivers instead of the other way around.

[@kidfromafrica483]

Imagine Ancient Civilizations around the world interacting with each other. Like Mayans and the Chinese trading and stuff

[@michaelweston409]

Kid From Africa I doubt trade between Mayans and Chinese due to great distance. Although travelers and wanders from both places definitely visited eachother in unrecorded tales.

[@markdombrovan8849]

I subscribed after this video

[@happygardener28]

about your remark at 8:04 there is a verbal history of group in what is now far western china (which wasn't part of china at the time) which took in some roman solders and the solders intermarried. these people celebrate a festival in remembrance of this meeting, the amount of dilution of the genetics would make it very hard to verify this story though. They called the romans li (le) jon (gon) mimicking a distorted pronunciation of legion. there are also the caucasian mummified remains found if what is now far western china it is so hard to collect all the bits and pieces that one person would spend a life time except we now have internet and hyper-fast computers.

[@rickr9435]

the caucasian mummies are probably the tocharians

[@happygardener28]

@@rickr9435 none one knows i'm sure, DNA only lasts so long, but there is much ignored by the science communities because they either don't keep up or it doesn't fit their theory.

[@thefirstprimariscatosicari6870]

A quick research shows that the scientific community did take interest in it since the 50s, but in the end it was found out Lijon existed since 104 A.C., and that it is more likely that it was Roman merchants who ended up there instead of legionaires.

[@stevedoggart2805]

They didn't know each other but they did meet once at cousin Rachels Batmizva .

[@gelisgeo1309]

Greece and china did know its other from alexanders the great times so....

[@bingeltube]

Very recommendable

[@someonesilence3731]

Good vid, though you haven't really provided any sources related to the information presented other than a few links to the various images you used.

[@NightfallMaster]

Loved the video. Not sure, however, if labelling Virgil as an historian is quite accurate. Certainly, poetry is what he's famous for.

[@Fireoflearning]

Dante would give me Hell for not clarifying, thank you

[@NightfallMaster]

@@Fireoflearning Love the reference my dude

[@lucisleesion8824]

I love China and its culture, especially ancient China.

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

Shame bout dat cultural revolution

[@UserresU135]

-Gemberkoekje- why the fuck bigots like you gotta ruin everything?

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

@o.o!!!!! Boi, South Korea and Japan doing fine and they didn't have to destroy their cultural heritage.

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

@o.o!!!!! What does that have to do with any of this?!

[@mathiass1999]

Long live The Republic of China

[@user-zw8yz5yv6p]

I don't know why but this video touched me...

[@dumptruck5138]

You should press charges.

[@martinaustin6230]

I recommend y'all check out Chinas interaction and wars with Greco-bactria (successor state of Alexander).

[@liangjiang3122]

This is what immortality feels like, your friends and foes disappear, and you greet the new friends and foes with the stories of their predecessors. China has seen it all, it will keep the watch.

[@NoKOzKamui]

@Jack Herrer India is the country that doesn't have toilets, but otherwise you are correct. Modern China is younger than the United States of America. Japan is the one country that could claim to be "immortal"

[@NoKOzKamui]

​@Jack Herrer Japan was founded somewhere between 660 BCE and 269 CE, and while it is true that they have been defeated and occupied by outside forces (Once), they have never been directly ruled by them. Just because they have lost wars before doesn't mean they haven't lasted a long time, I have no idea what the point you're trying to make is.

[@NoKOzKamui]

@Jack Herrer en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squat_toilet

[@TheRealFlenuan]

Except no political entity is immortal. China's political history is full of turmoil and rebirth.

[@FormerPessitheRobberfan]

@LowEnergyWolf lol what? The only real China is Taiwan. Mainland China destroyed most of it's ancient culture. Most of what we know about ancient China.is from Taiwan the real China

[@quigongym5206]

Chinese architecture =elegant and bueatiful Roman architecture = bold and imposing

[@quigongym5206]

Jim B I’m just generalizing

[@juansehernandez4504]

Greek architecture = elegant, beautiful, bold and imposing

[@spiderlime]

the novella "envoy extraordinary" by william goulding, of "lord of the flies" fame is about that.

[@KVirello]

Why didn't you make this video earlier? I had to write a paper on this last semester.