The Byzantine Ambassadors of Ancient China

The Byzantine Empire, which was known at the time as the Eastern Roman Empire, maintained a relatively unknown and intriguing relationship with ancient China, primarily during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), thus sending ambassadors there to represent their interests.

The two Empires were obviously separated by vast geographical and cultural distances and differences, nonetheless, these two great civilisations did engage in diplomatic exchanges that show the importance diplomatic relations had, even at a time when communication across different continents was nearly impossible.

Diplomatic missons of the Byzantine Empire to China

It’s primarily Chinese historical evidence that allows us to know details about the relationship between the Byzantine Empire and China.

Chinese historical records, such as the famous ”Old Book of Tang” and ”New Book of Tang,” document several embassies and diplomatic missions that came from “Fulin” to the Tang court of the Chinese Empire.

Fulin was the term the Chinese used for the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.

The first recorded mission that we are aware of took place in the distant 643 AD, during the reign of Chinese Emperor Taizong.

This mission was sent to China by Byzantine Emperor Constans II.

Constans II, also known as ”the bearded” (Pogonatos in Greek) was known in Chinese sources as “Bo duoli” or “Constantine the Bearded.”

The Byzantine delegation to China attempted to impress the Chinese, probably in exchange for some preferential treatment in trade or elsewhere.

Thus, the Byzantines brought with them exotic gifts, including red glass and green gold gems, which were highly valued in China.

In return, historical records tell us that the Tang emperor presented the Byzantine delegation with luxurious silk. This was a true symbol of the wealth of the Chinese as well as of their great craftsmanship.

This was not the only Byzantine delegation to China, though.

More Byzantine ambassadors went to China

Subsequent Byzantine missions took place under later Tang emperors, including Gaozong and Xuanzong.

These exchanges coincided with periods of political stability and prosperity in both empires. This is to be expected, as it is during peaceful and prosperous times that delegations were sent to far off lands.

They also show us that there must have been a mutual interest in forging alliances to counterbalance rising powers that covered the vast area between the Byzantine Empire and China, like the Arab Caliphate.

The Arabs posed a significant threat to both Byzantium and Tang China due to their expansionist tendencies and increasing power.

The well-known Silk Road was obviously the primary route via which the two civilizations communicated.

Direct contact was understandably rare due to the exceptionally long distances, and intermediaries such as the Sogdians and Persians. However, goods and ideas flowed between East and West relatively freely for centuries.

As we can imagine, the Byzantine upper class was particularly interested in Chinese silk. This was a luxury commodity that became synonymous to wealth and sophistication in Constantinople.

Conversely, China was very eager to import Byzantine glassware, precious metals and other items that the Chinese considered exotic.

An example of such an exchange between the Chinese and the Byzantines was when two Nestorian monks smuggled silkworm eggs out of China during Justinian I’s reign (527–565 AD).

This illegal act allowed the Byzantine Empire to establish its own silk production industry, reducing its reliance on Chinese imports.

The diplomatic missions from Byzantium to China show us that these two advanced civilisations at opposite ends of Eurasia did interact with each other, even though these interractions were rare.

We know from Chinese records that people described the and beauty and grandeur of Constantinople with fascination, making references to its formidable walls and advanced civilization and culture.

Similarly, Byzantine accounts admired China’s sophistication and vast resources.