Gan Ying

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Gan Ying was a Chinese diplomat, explorer, and military official who lived around 97 CE. He was sent by the general Ban Chao to learn about the Roman Empire. He did not reach Rome, traveling only as far as the “western sea,” which could be the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, or the Parthian coast of the Persian Gulf. He planned to sail around Arabia to Roman Egypt, a journey that might have taken about three months, but local sailors warned of bad weather and he returned home.

The Hou Han Shu describes Roman customs and riches. It says their kings are chosen rather than permanent, and if disasters strike they are replaced. The people are tall and honest, and the land is called Da Qin, or “Great China.” They supposedly have great wealth—gold, silver, jade, pearls, coral, amber, and various luxurious textiles and fabrics. They trade by sea with Parthia and Northwest India, with high profits, and they mint coins. Parthia blocked a route to prevent Romans from reaching China. The account also mentions the Mediterranean coral trade and a rare sea silk. Gan Ying’s voyage occurred around the time when Emperor Nerva named Trajan as successor, and the description of the rulers resembles legendary Chinese sages more than Roman leaders.