The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes

The Ancient World Economy and the Empires of Parthia, Central Asia and Han China

By: Raoul McLaughlin

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

The Roman Empire and the Silk Routes investigates the trade routes between Rome and the powerful empires of inner Asia, including the Parthian regime which ruled ancient Persia (Iran). It explores Roman dealings with the Kushan Empire which seized power in Bactria (Afghanistan) and laid claim to the Indus Kingdoms. Further chapters examine the development of Palmyra as a leading caravan city on the edge of Roman Syria and consider trade ventures through the Tarim territories that led Roman merchants to Han China.

The Han Empire of ancient China matched that of Rome in scale and possessed military technology surpassing that of Roman legions. The Han established a system of Central Asian trade routes known as the Silk Road that carried eastern products as far as Persia and the frontiers of the Roman Empire.

This is the first audiobook to address these subjects in a single comprehensive study. It explores Rome's impact on the ancient world economy and reveals what the Chinese and Romans knew about their rival Empires.

©2016 Raoul McLaughlin (P)2019 Tantor

A must have if you want to study the Roman Economy

Really well done book on the Roman Economy. If you get McLaughlin's second title The Roman Empire and the Indian Ocean, you will get the full picture of the Ancient Roman Economy and how Raoul argues that Roman wealth was exported to the East while Rome did not take in the same amount of money on goods they exported resulting in the eventual collapse of the Roman Economy. There are many reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire but Raoul does a great job in laying out his thesis that it was Rome's lust for luxury items that did them in. Anyone who understands the US trade deficit would recognize what this book clearly lays out.

I believe this is your thesis to graduate and you polished it to be your first book. I liked both books equally. Your book is essential for me to understand the Roman economy enough to develop characters in a novel series and I have a background in TV & Film and I will suggest you put in your resume to production houses for them to see about you being a fact checker on TV shows and movies. If you get in the loop, writers will want to pick your brain.

This title is worth listening to more than once and reading along with it making notes. If you are a student in college with a major in History, this should be added to your Roman Historians so you understand what goes into researching History.

The really enjoyed both of these books. I believe I bought both kindle copies too if they weren't on kindle unlimited. I will be buying these in print for my future library.

Seriously man, great job.

Worth It

Very interesting. Once you get familiar with nations and leaders, the stories are engaging.

Great, colorful details from across the era

The back and forth Meandering between east and west might not be enjoyable for all, but I thought it was an awesome read in this day and age of tightening globalism

RECOMMEND

Just finished this very interesting book.
As a student of history, I have read several books re. The Silk Road, but this book describes the route and it’s history from a different perspective.
Very interesting.
I totally enjoyed the book and I highly recommend listening.
As always, you can look the different locations up in Google Earth.
The narrator, mr. Raoul McLaughlin has a pleasant voice.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

Compare and contrasts Roman and Chinese antiquities

As someone who doesn’t read or listen to a whole lot of history, it was a bit slow but did get some useful insights. Worth reading/listening but probably won’t be your favorite book on the topic.