The Roman Empire and the silk routes : the ancient world economy and the Empires of Parthia, Central Asia and Han China

Intro -- List of Plates -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Chronology -- Maps -- Introduction: The Ancient World Economy -- 1. Steel and Silk -- 2. Silk in Roman Society -- 3. The Chinese Empire and the Xiongnu -- 4. The Discovery of the West -- 5. Securing the Silk Routes -- 6. The Kushan Empire -- 7. The Sogdian Intermediaries -- 8. Caspian Routes and the Crimea -- 9. Black Sea Voyages -- 10. The Sarmatians -- 11. The Parthian Empire -- 12. Parthia and Rome -- 13. Roman Invasion Plans for Parthia -- 14. Roman Routes to China -- Conclusion: The Silk Routes and the Economies of China and Rome -- Appendix A: Economic Figures -- Appendix B: Economi Comparisons -- Appendix C: The Han Economy -- Appendix D: Roman Revenues -- Appendix E: Military Capacities -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.