15.  Eastern Asia, or India, was only known to the Romans by a commercial intercourse, which was opened with that country soon after the conquest of Egypt.

It was divided into India on this side the Ganges, and India beyond the Ganges, which included Se’rica, a country of which the Romans possessed but little knowledge.  India at the western side of the Ganges contained, 1.  The territory between the In’dus and Gan’ges:  2.  The western coast, now called Malabar, which was the part best known, and, 3.  The island of Taproba’ne, Ceylon.

16.  The commerce between Europe and southern Asia became important in the reign of Alexan’der the Great; the greater part of the towns founded by that mighty conqueror were intended to facilitate this lucrative trade.[2] After his death, the Ptol’emys of Egypt became the patrons of Indian traffic, which was unwisely neglected by the kings of Syria.  When Egypt was conquered by the Romans, the commerce with India was not interrupted, and the principal mart for Indian commerce under the Roman emperors, was always Alexandria.  The jealousy of the Parthians excluded strangers from their territories, and put an end to the trade that was carried on between northern India, the shores of the Caspian sea, and thence to the AEgean.  In consequence of this interruption, Palmy’ra and Alexandri’a became the great depots of eastern commerce, and to this circumstance they owed their enormous wealth and magnificence.

Questions for Examination.

1.  What were the boundaries of the Roman empire?

2.  How was Spain divided?

3.  When was Spain annexed to the Roman empire?

4.  What countries were included in Transalpine Gaul?

5.  How was Gaul divided?

6.  What islands in the Mediterranean were included in the Roman empire?

7.  When was Britain invaded by the Romans, and how much of the country did they subdue?

8.  Into what provinces were the countries south of the Danube divided?

9.  What was the extent of Illyricum?

10.  What were the Roman provinces in the east of Europe?

11.  By whom was Dacia conquered?

12.  What were the Asiatic provinces?

13.  What were the African provinces?

14.  What were the principal states bordering on the empire?

15.  Was India known to the Romans?

16.  What cities under the Romans enjoyed the greatest commerce with India?

FOOTNOTES: 

[1] The student will find the particulars of the ancient state of these countries detailed more fully in Mitchell’s Ancient Geography.

[2] See Pinnock’s Grecian History.

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END OF THE INTRODUCTION.

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HISTORY OF ROME