Page:The Periplus of the Erythræan Sea.djvu/285

 275

from the silk-route by 1000 miles of the most difficult travelling in Asia, and not certainly settled by Shan tribes until some centuries later than the Periplus? The theory is manifestly impracticable.

With the rise of the Kushan dynasty in the northwest, and their relations towards their former home on the Chinese border, it was natural that communication by the Turkestan routes should increase. While the military successes of China did not begin until 73 A. D., it is known that the Chinese Emperor Ming-ti (who ruled from 58 to 75) introduced Buddhism into China by the invitation of two Indian Sramanas, Kasyapa Matanga and Bharana, who arrived in 67 A. D. (Takakusu, Introduction to his edition of I-tsing, p. xvii. ) Before such an invitation there must have been considerable activity on the part of missionaries, then as now the forerunners of commerce.

The text seems to be describing conditions prior to the journey of the Sramanas in 67 A. D.

As contrasting with the knowledge, or lack of it, which the Ro- mans displayed concerning China, the following account of Roman Syria, particularly the district of Antioch, taken from Chinese annals of almost the same date as the Periplus, is of interest. (Quoted from Hirth, China and the Roman Orient.)'.

ANNALS OF THE HAN DYNASTY OF CHINA Chapter 88

( Section “ Hou-han-shu,” partly written during the 5th century A. D., and embracing the period A. D. 25 to 220)

The first detailed account of the Roman empire contained in the Chinese annals: this account describing Roman Syria and its capital Antioch, and being based on the report of the Ambassador Kan Ying, A. D. 97

(1) The country of Ta-ts’ in is also called Lichien (Li-kin) and, as being situated on the western part of the sea, Hai-hsi-kuo,. e. “country of the western part of the sea”). (2) Its territory amounts to several thousand li; (3) it contains over four hundred cities, (4) and of dependent states there are several times ten. (5) The de- fences of cities are made of stone. (6) The postal stations and mile- stones on the roads are covered with plaster. (7) There are pine and cypress trees and all kinds of other trees and plants. (8) The people are much bent on agriculture and practice the planting of trees and the rearing of silk-worms. (9) They cut the hair of their heads, (10) wear embroidered clothing, (II) and drive in small carriages covered with white canopies; (12) when going in or out they beat drums, and hoist flags, banners, and pennants. (13) The precincts of the walled cities in which they live measure over a hundred li in