The Silk Road

[Timotheus]

The Romans purchased far more in eastern goods than the Chinese consumed of western (sound familiar?). But Roman glassware has found its way into various parts of eastern Asia. I can think of some being found in Korea, to be specific. Also, Hellenistic textiles have been found in Mongolia. The theory behind that involves the textiles arriving in Mongolia via the Chinese themselves. Roman coins have been unearthed quite a number of places. Precious metals, after all, are the most ubiquitous form of currency on earth. Nearly every society places value on silver and gold.

I know the primary item was silk. Was anything else sent in large amounts? I can see the Chinese having an advantage. Silk travels much better than glass which obviously can break.

Has anyone ever done a study to see how much of an economic boost it was to the Chinese state to be exporting such large amounts of silk to the West?

Would be interesting to see then how this declined after silkworms were sucessfully smuggled out of China by the two Christian monks.