12-01-2010, 08:12 PM
Yes, it's from Through the Jade Gate to Rome. It looks like a self-published work, but Hill's translation and commentary are both excellent.
I apologize for my previous post; I did not develop it as fully as I wanted to, as I was busy finishing a review of Victor Davis Hanson's Western Way of War. However, I am also somewhat reluctant to write more, as I have yet to turn in my paper and do not want to be accused of plagiarism when it is submitted to Turnitin.com.
That said, I am inclined to agree with the current consensus among scholars regarding the identities of Da Qin, Anxi, Haixi, and so on. I think it's totally fine that some of you guys have questioned these conclusions, but it means that I have to work from the bottom up.
Now let's follow our sources. If I'm not mistaken, the Hou Hanshu was published sometime in the 5th century but drew upon earlier sources, such as the late 1st century testimony of Gan Ying. Before we reach Anxi, the Hou Hanshu names the kingdoms of Jumi, Yutian, Xiye, Zihe, Dere, Wuyishanli, and Tiaozhi. The most relevant of these is Tiaozhi, which Hill identifies as Characene and Susiana. Pulleyblank and other scholars have even determined that "Tiaozhi" is a transcription of "Seleukia". The record states that it "borders on the Western Sea" (perhaps the Persian Gulf) and that "if you turn north, and then towards the east, riding by horse for more than 60 days, you reach [the old capital of] Anxi." Hill notes that this corresponds with the time that it would have taken to reach Old Nisa if traveling at a rate of 20.5 km each day. The author then adds that "later on, [Anxi] conquered, and subjugated Tiaozhi." It seems quite clear that the Hou Hanshu is indeed referring to Susiana/Seleukia, and that Anxi is none other than Parthia. I'll just point out that the earlier Weilue plainly states that Tiaozhi is between Da Qin and Anxi.
As for Anxi itself, the Shiji, written in the 1st century B.C., records that "when the first embassy was sent from China to Anxi, the king of Anxi ordered twenty thousand cavalry to meet them on the eastern frontier" (from Hirth's China and the Roman Orient). So there's your "horse-based culture."
The Hou Hanshu, borrowing from the Shiji, states that Anxi is "several thousand li across" with "several hundred small towns. The households, people, and men able to bear arms are extremely numerous." We then hear
"In the ninth Yongyuan year [97 CE], during the reign of Emperor He, the Protector General Ban Chao sent Gan Ying to Da Qin. He reached Tiaozhi next to a large sea. He wanted to cross it, but the sailors of the western frontier of Anxi said to him:
But... now I have to go. I'll try to finish this later, but I hope you see where I'm going with this.
I apologize for my previous post; I did not develop it as fully as I wanted to, as I was busy finishing a review of Victor Davis Hanson's Western Way of War. However, I am also somewhat reluctant to write more, as I have yet to turn in my paper and do not want to be accused of plagiarism when it is submitted to Turnitin.com.
That said, I am inclined to agree with the current consensus among scholars regarding the identities of Da Qin, Anxi, Haixi, and so on. I think it's totally fine that some of you guys have questioned these conclusions, but it means that I have to work from the bottom up.
Now let's follow our sources. If I'm not mistaken, the Hou Hanshu was published sometime in the 5th century but drew upon earlier sources, such as the late 1st century testimony of Gan Ying. Before we reach Anxi, the Hou Hanshu names the kingdoms of Jumi, Yutian, Xiye, Zihe, Dere, Wuyishanli, and Tiaozhi. The most relevant of these is Tiaozhi, which Hill identifies as Characene and Susiana. Pulleyblank and other scholars have even determined that "Tiaozhi" is a transcription of "Seleukia". The record states that it "borders on the Western Sea" (perhaps the Persian Gulf) and that "if you turn north, and then towards the east, riding by horse for more than 60 days, you reach [the old capital of] Anxi." Hill notes that this corresponds with the time that it would have taken to reach Old Nisa if traveling at a rate of 20.5 km each day. The author then adds that "later on, [Anxi] conquered, and subjugated Tiaozhi." It seems quite clear that the Hou Hanshu is indeed referring to Susiana/Seleukia, and that Anxi is none other than Parthia. I'll just point out that the earlier Weilue plainly states that Tiaozhi is between Da Qin and Anxi.
As for Anxi itself, the Shiji, written in the 1st century B.C., records that "when the first embassy was sent from China to Anxi, the king of Anxi ordered twenty thousand cavalry to meet them on the eastern frontier" (from Hirth's China and the Roman Orient). So there's your "horse-based culture."
The Hou Hanshu, borrowing from the Shiji, states that Anxi is "several thousand li across" with "several hundred small towns. The households, people, and men able to bear arms are extremely numerous." We then hear"In the ninth Yongyuan year [97 CE], during the reign of Emperor He, the Protector General Ban Chao sent Gan Ying to Da Qin. He reached Tiaozhi next to a large sea. He wanted to cross it, but the sailors of the western frontier of Anxi said to him:
Quote:The ocean is huge. Those making the round trip can do it in three months if the winds are favourable. However, if you encounter winds that delay you, it can take two years. That is why all the men who go by sea take stores for three years. The vast ocean urges men to think of their country, and get homesick, and some of them die."When [Gan] Ying heard this, he discontinued (his trip)."
But... now I have to go. I'll try to finish this later, but I hope you see where I'm going with this.
God bless.
Jeff Chu
Jeff Chu
