Рим, Китай, Палмира и коприната – Икономика и политика
Rome, China, Palmyra and the Silk – Economics and Politics

Summary/Abstract: Abstract: The contacts between the Chinese and the Romans in Antiquity are indirect, but even in this form they have their economic and political dimensions. The Romans’ connection with silk leads to a growing demand from their side of this expensive commodity, as a result of which the Roman Empire began to leak substantial funds. Emperors made targeted efforts to stop or at least limit this negative economic trend. In turn middlemen in this trade Arsacid Empire and its successor Sasanian Persia seek to maximize economic and political benefits from it. In the third century the most profitable of mediation in this trade proves Palmyra – a city which is part of the Roman Empire but maintains very lively contacts with the East. The rise and fall of Palmyra shows the doom of small political and economic actors who are trying to intervene in the struggle between the great powers.

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