Roman ExplorationRoman Exploration

Roman Exploration?Roman Exploration?

• Rome insularRome insular• Uninterested in cartography, geography, other Uninterested in cartography, geography, other

cultures?cultures?• No attempt at diplomatic relationships?No attempt at diplomatic relationships?• Never traveled beyond known borders of empireNever traveled beyond known borders of empire

To the North…To the North…

• Into areas of Germanic and Celtic occupationInto areas of Germanic and Celtic occupation• CaesarCaesar

• GaulGaul• BrittaniaBrittania

To the east…To the east…

To the East…To the East…

• Regular trade with India Regular trade with India

• Trade with ChinaTrade with China• Chinese embassies in Seleucid EmpireChinese embassies in Seleucid Empire• Chinese silk in RomeChinese silk in Rome• Diplomatic missions to Rome itself?Diplomatic missions to Rome itself?

• In the reign of Augustus (27 BCE- 14CE)In the reign of Augustus (27 BCE- 14CE)

• FunanFunan• Óc EoÓc Eo

Roman Coins from SouthEastern Roman Coins from SouthEastern IndiaIndia

Coins of Caligula (31-41 CE) and Nero’s reign (54-68 CE)Coins of Caligula (31-41 CE) and Nero’s reign (54-68 CE)

Cultural Cultural ExchangeExchange

First Century CE Indian Augustus First Century CE Indian Augustus Coin in the Roman StyleCoin in the Roman Style

First Century CE Indian Augustus First Century CE Indian Augustus Coin in the Roman StyleCoin in the Roman Style

Cultural ExchangeCultural Exchange

Roman Explorers Going Roman Explorers Going EastEast

• Maës Titianus (ca 100 CE)Maës Titianus (ca 100 CE)

• Roman Mission (166 CE) Roman Mission (166 CE)

Óc EoÓc Eo

Opening the Silk RoadOpening the Silk Road

To the SoutheastTo the Southeast

• Aelius GallusAelius Gallus• Prefect of Egypt (25 -24 BCE)Prefect of Egypt (25 -24 BCE)• Expedition to Arabia Felix across desertExpedition to Arabia Felix across desert

• Destruction of armyDestruction of army• Failed attemptFailed attempt

• StraboStrabo

Explorations to the Explorations to the SouthSouth

• African tradeAfrican trade• GoldGold• Exotic animalsExotic animals

• Julius MaternusJulius Maternus

• Nero ExpeditionNero Expedition

• TRADETRADE

Early African Early African trade Routestrade Routes

A Global Trade NetworkA Global Trade Network

not not