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Μεσόγειος Θάλασσα (Mesogeios Thalassa) in the Reflection of Dizhonghai 地中海: Routes and Connections Between the Greek World and China

  • Francesca Fariello

This chapter examines the historical and cultural intersections between the Mediterranean Sea (Mesogeios Thalassa – Dizhonghai 地中海 in Greek-Roman and Chinese sources), particularly the Greek-Hellenistic world and China. Beginning with Herodotus’ depiction of the Mediterranean as an intercultural space and tracing connections through the expansion of Alexander the Great’s dominion, the chapter explores the strategic role of settlements such as Alexandria Eschate in the Ferghana Valley. By analysing Chinese sources, including the Shiji 史記 and Hanshu 漢書, it is possible to highlight the transcontinental networks linking the Mediterranean world to China, emphasising the symbolic and economic importance of trade commodities like silk. Special attention is also given to the toponym Tiaozhi, identified with Characene, and the maritime routes to Da Qin 大秦 (commonly associated with the Roman Empire or its eastern territories). The chapter concludes that Da Qin in Chinese sources provides a sophisticated perspective on the Greek-Hellenistic world, shaped by intercultural exchanges across Central Asia and the Mediterranean world.

  • Keywords:
  • Sino-Mediterranean Exchanges; Silk Routes by Land and Sea; China and the Greek-Hellenistic World; Alexander the Great; Da Qin.,
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Francesca Fariello

University of Naples L'Orientale, Italy - ORCID: 0009-0007-6294-3206

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Chapter Information

Chapter Title

Μεσόγειος Θάλασσα (Mesogeios Thalassa) in the Reflection of Dizhonghai 地中海: Routes and Connections Between the Greek World and China

Authors

Francesca Fariello

Language

English

DOI

10.36253/979-12-215-0598-6.05

Peer Reviewed

Publication Year

2024

Copyright Information

© 2024 Author(s)

Content License

CC BY 4.0

Metadata License

CC0 1.0

Bibliographic Information

Book Title

Navigating the Mediterranean Through the Chinese Lens

Book Subtitle

Transcultural Narratives of the Sea Among Lands

Editors

Renata Vinci

Peer Reviewed

Number of Pages

138

Publication Year

2024

Copyright Information

© 2024 Author(s)

Content License

CC BY 4.0

Metadata License

CC0 1.0

Publisher Name

Firenze University Press

DOI

10.36253/979-12-215-0598-6

ISBN Print

979-12-215-0597-9

eISBN (pdf)

979-12-215-0598-6

eISBN (epub)

979-12-215-0599-3

Series Title

Studi e saggi

Series ISSN

2704-6478

Series E-ISSN

2704-5919

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