Chinese–Iranian relations date back to ancient times, with a long history of cultural, political, and economic ties. The first indirect exchanges occurred in the 5th century BC through Central Asian intermediaries such as the Sogdians, with rare goods like silk slowly making their way from the Zhou Dynasty to the Achaemenid Empire. Around 200 BC, the two sides established their first direct contact along the Silk Road, although interactions remained largely focused on trade.
Relations deepened from 224 AD, when royal marriages between the two sides happened and their connections were further strengthened. From that time, Chinese chronicles such as the Book of Wei mention Sassanid ambassadors and envoys visiting Chinese courts. Silk, ceramics, glassware, spices and other goods were widely exchanged. Sassanid silver coins have been discovered in China, and Chinese luxury products have been found in Iran.
Persian pottery have been discovered at sites related to the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties (7th–14th centuries), especially in port cities such as Quanzhou. These include stonepaste bowls, lustreware, and overglaze-painted ceramics, sometimes decorated with Persian inscriptions or motifs.
There is also no historical record or evidence showing that they ever went to any kind of conflict, which is remarkable for two nations that have had deep relations for such a long time. This contrasts sharply with the numerous wars Persian empires fought with their western neighbors, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
Taymatosama on
Wow, they were making Hollow Knight references even back then…
TheLadyNyxThalia on
Can you share the link to where you found this?
Appropriate_M on
I love the Chinese curlicues (mimicking cloud patterns?).
That said, this always reminds me of one of the Roman moralists (Cato?) railing against luxuries and women wearing silk so thin that the nipples are visible while this sort of “thinness” isn’t really on record in China even among the poor (prostitutes another matter altogether). The Parthians probably rewove a lot of silk (made them thinner) before it got to Rome– someone better informed let me know did I imagine this actually being an academic speculation or just my own idea?
That said, silk embroidery is such a painstaking process I can’t imagine the cost of modern equivalent. Probably the same as before? By goldweight?
4 Comments
Chinese–Iranian relations date back to ancient times, with a long history of cultural, political, and economic ties. The first indirect exchanges occurred in the 5th century BC through Central Asian intermediaries such as the Sogdians, with rare goods like silk slowly making their way from the Zhou Dynasty to the Achaemenid Empire. Around 200 BC, the two sides established their first direct contact along the Silk Road, although interactions remained largely focused on trade.
Relations deepened from 224 AD, when royal marriages between the two sides happened and their connections were further strengthened. From that time, Chinese chronicles such as the Book of Wei mention Sassanid ambassadors and envoys visiting Chinese courts. Silk, ceramics, glassware, spices and other goods were widely exchanged. Sassanid silver coins have been discovered in China, and Chinese luxury products have been found in Iran.
Persian pottery have been discovered at sites related to the Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties (7th–14th centuries), especially in port cities such as Quanzhou. These include stonepaste bowls, lustreware, and overglaze-painted ceramics, sometimes decorated with Persian inscriptions or motifs.
There is also no historical record or evidence showing that they ever went to any kind of conflict, which is remarkable for two nations that have had deep relations for such a long time. This contrasts sharply with the numerous wars Persian empires fought with their western neighbors, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
Wow, they were making Hollow Knight references even back then…
Can you share the link to where you found this?
I love the Chinese curlicues (mimicking cloud patterns?).
That said, this always reminds me of one of the Roman moralists (Cato?) railing against luxuries and women wearing silk so thin that the nipples are visible while this sort of “thinness” isn’t really on record in China even among the poor (prostitutes another matter altogether). The Parthians probably rewove a lot of silk (made them thinner) before it got to Rome– someone better informed let me know did I imagine this actually being an academic speculation or just my own idea?
That said, silk embroidery is such a painstaking process I can’t imagine the cost of modern equivalent. Probably the same as before? By goldweight?