Expert: Maria - 7/27/2008

Question
Did the ancient Greeks (400 to 600 BC) have any knowledge of the existence of China?

Answer
Hello,

As far as we know, there is no evidence that ancient Greeks  had any knowledge of the existence of China.

It’s possible however that they have had  some info about China only from 130 BC, after Greece in 146 BC came under the control of the Romans who had  relations and trade with the Chinese  just because they liked Chinese silk  [as we read in Pliny the Elder, The Natural History VI, 54 ] .

Best regards,
Maria
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Just out of curiosity, see at: http://www.greecetravel.com/archaeology/mitsopoulou/ where Theresa Mitsopoulou investigates the connection between ancient Greek and Chinese cultures and languages.