Roman And Chinese References To India
Page 2 of 5
EXAMIVERSE
🤝 Roman Observers of India
- Pliny the Elder (Natural History, 77 CE): Described Indian flora and fauna, spice trade, exotic animals like elephants and peacocks.
- Strabo (Geographica, early 1st century CE): Outlined the Indus River basin, key ports such as Barbaricum and Barygaza.
- Ptolemy (Geography, 2nd century CE): Produced detailed maps of the Indian coastline, cities, and trade winds.
- Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (mid-1st century CE): Anonymous merchant manual on sea routes, harbors, and commercial products of western India and Sri Lanka.
- Arrian (Indica, 2nd century CE): Summarized earlier accounts of India’s customs, rivers, and royal court, drawing on Megasthenes and local informants.