11. Chinese Envoys and Roman ‘Barbarism’
Ancient Chinese envoys often regarded the Roman Empire as uncivilized, primarily because Roman court rituals and customs differed so dramatically from their own. Despite Rome’s renowned sophistication, its unfamiliar traditions appeared peculiar—even barbaric—to Chinese observers.
This episode highlights how even the most advanced societies can misunderstand one another, projecting their own standards onto foreign cultures. For a deeper analysis, see this comparative perspective on Rome and China.
