Silk Worms and Mulberry get Smuggled to Rome in the Time of Augustus

[Tonifranz]

What if some merchants or some other adventurers proposed to Octavian in Egypt in 30 BC, in exchange for citizenship and Equestrian status, and untold riches, to smuggle silk worms and mulberry seeds in a hollow cane from the Han Dynasty to Rome in the time of Augustus?

Octavian, having nothing to lose, accepts, and the two journeyed from Egypt to China.

They return at about 23 BC.

And a silk industry was established in Italy during that time under their direction, but with the Emperor directly selling the said silk.

What happens then?

 

[EmperorOfTheNorthSea]

Well butterfly effect obviously, as well as maybe greater interest in the east. Also less money troubles in general.

 

[Arkenfolm]

It won't just be Italy, but much of the Mediterranean (southern Gaul, Hispania, North Africa, Greece, etc.) will benefit from this.

 

[Mark E.]

A key would be to assure the silk worms can be fed in the time it takes to accumulate a stock of the most desirable mulberry trees. Mulberry can be a source for paper and fiber so the project would import even more Chinese technology to Europe.