I learn that the 4th century Roman empire had ONE person that was legally allowed to buy silk from foreign traders.
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Replying to @MariusHollenga
His title was the Comes Comerciorum, and this position was a clear indication that the Roman state intervened to keep silk prices reasonable
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Replying to @MariusHollenga
The problem was, of course, that silk-trade generally had to go through Persia, with whom the Romans had a....rocky relationship.
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Replying to @MariusHollenga
@MariusHollenga indeed! what I also found esp interesting is that clear silk trade continued into Byzantine 'dark age' of 7/8thC...2 replies 0 retweets 1 like
@MariusHollenga ...Byzantine production moved into Balkans etc, but continued---total economic collapse clearly not occurring here at least
10:38 AM - 6 Apr 2016
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