One Less Liar: China and Rome Contact Each Other In the First Century

In the year 97 CE (AD), the Chinese sent a man named Gan Ying west to make contact with the Roman Empire. He made it as far as south-western Iran, but then merchants who wanted to control the trade between China and Rome told Gan Ying that it was a two year trip across a huge sea to get to Rome. What if a merchant had told the truth, and contact had been made? The English language could be Chinese based, instead of German and Latin. Would Christianity have become a major religion (it was still small in CE 97)? What about Islam? Would the empires fight, merge, increase contact, or remain indifferent to the other empire. Would the Americas have been discovered so early, because Columbus wouldn't need to go looking for a route to China? Any ideas?
 
In the year 97 CE (AD), the Chinese sent a man named Gan Ying west to make contact with the Roman Empire. He made it as far as south-western Iran, but then merchants who wanted to control the trade between China and Rome told Gan Ying that it was a two year trip across a huge sea to get to Rome. What if a merchant had told the truth, and contact had been made? The English language could be Chinese based, instead of German and Latin. Would Christianity have become a major religion (it was still small in CE 97)? What about Islam? Would the empires fight, merge, increase contact, or remain indifferent to the other empire. Would the Americas have been discovered so early, because Columbus wouldn't need to go looking for a route to China? Any ideas?

I'd say that the English language (and Islam) would be likely be butterflied away in a world where China and Rome enjoy sustained contact.

Anything could happen with Christianity at this point.

And any of the Eurasian civilizations could discover the Americas...when they do it would depend on the situation that they find themselves in at the time of course.
 
China and Rome were too far apart for either to be a threat to the other.

Trade certainly occurred between them and the only question is whether it was carried on exclusively my intermediaries or if their own citizens were involved directly at some time or other. Until some archaeological evidence surfaces this will probably remain speculation. We do have abundant evidence from Alexandria that Indians and other far eastern peoples had permanent presences there but so far no Chinese.

It took about 500 years for the secret of silk to be discovered by the Romans so technological innovations were obviously a closely guarded state secret in China. Similar technological advances would also be guarded.

I am interested in some commonalities however. Asbestos, for example, was used in the same way in both empires. There appears to be no evidence that it was used a fire retardant in buildings but was actually woven into suits to protect fire fighters in Rome and Chinese soldiers using primitive flamethrowers. This may be a coincidence or it may be evidence of travellers observing such a thing in the other country and bringing the knowledge back home.

What incentives and what opportunities would there be in by-passing the Parthians and others and trading directly? Would it necessarily be cheaper to establish long range trade than use intermediaries?

In all I think the effects would be relatively minor. Some technology may be available earlier but apart from that I do not see much else.
 
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