Judging from the evolution of the bronze culture, cultural exchange between China and countries in central and western Asia started in as early as 2000 B.C. In the long journey of history, it was tile communication and exchange among different peoples and regions that brought about the splendid variety of the garments. And one cannot talk about cultural exchange without mention of the Silk Road, and the irreplaceable role it played.
From the 5th Century B.C., Chinese textiles started to travel to the west. The exquisite beauty of silk was hailed as something from heaven. Greeks and the Romans called the China "Serica," and the Chinese people were called "Seris," both of which originated from the word "Serge" or silk. According to a western historical book, Caesar (100-44 B.C.) wore a silk robe to watch a play, and all audiences shifted their attention from the play to the silk robe. Chinese silk was introduced to India in very early days, because historical books had very early record of "reams of silk from China." As early as in the 2nd Century A.D., there was already law in India prohibiting the stealing of silk.
In 138 B.C. and 119 B.C., Emperor Wu of Han twice sent his envoy Zhang Qian to travel to the Western Regions, taking along a large quantity of silk, porcelain and other products from central China. Along this road, they used silk textiles as gifts or articles in exchange for food. At the meantime, these countries along the road gave woolen fabrics and spices to China in return. Ever since then, Chinese silk began to be regularly transported along this route to many parts of the world. From Han to Tang Dynasties, ceaseless camel bells marked the prosperity of the "Silk Road."
In as early as the age of the Roman Empires, silk was brought into the Roman market through Persia, leading to a great trade surplus. In the 3rd Century A.D., silk in Rome was once as valuable as gold, so expensive that Emperor Iulianus no longer wore silk, and prohibited his wife from wearing silk. In Century, the improved economic condition brought about a renewed trend of wearing silk in Constantinople, spreading all the w~ down to the lower classes.
