#2

“We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started... and know the place for the first time.”

-T.S. Eliot

It is only human nature to hold deep feelings of interest towards the mysterious and unknown. It is a vital part of our intelligence... this longing to further it. Just as we daydream of extraterrestrial species aloof, the Chinese of the Eastern Han dynasty were in constant speculation of what lay outside their borders. It was only with the aid of men such as Zhang Qian and Ban Chao that these ambitions of theirs were arrived upon. Prosperous ambitions, for they introduced modern-day China to the world of commercial trade, by means of the Silk Road.

Zhang Qian was a 2nd century BCE envoy of the Han dynasty sent into Central Asia with specific instructions to rendezvous with leaders of the Yuezhi tribes and to bring forth concepts of ‘teaming-up’ in order to destroy their enemies, the Xiongnu. Ban Chao was a 1st century Han General/Historian chosen to oversee all relations with their western neighbours. Their ventures were chronicled by Historians such as Sima Qian (Shiji) and Ban Gu (History of Han) who in turn inspired Fan Ye to create the famous Hou Hanshu.

A brilliant historical collection; the Hou Hanshu, more specifically the chapter entitled Records of the Western Regions, gives the reader an ethnographic and socio-political view of regions such as the Roman Empire from a foreign perspective. Economical systems and martial matters were explained with accuracy and precision. The descriptions of cultures however were unfortunately too straightforward and at times pretentious. It is not surprising though as these individuals were mere documenters as opposed to sociologists. All-in-all, a dreadfully important text.