Rome and the Distant East: Trade Routes to the ancient lands of Arabia, India and China 9781472540881, 9781847252357

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For my parents William John McLaughlin and Elizabeth Terry McLaughlin

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Acknowledgements

This book is based on a doctoral thesis completed at Queen’s University Belfast in 2006. When I was looking for a place to study Eastern trade I applied to many universities, but none could accommodate a subject so broad and ambitious. This work could only have been written in Belfast and I greatly appreciate how I was allowed to follow my academic interests under constructive direction and encouragement. I would like to thank my doctoral supervisor Dr John Curran, for without his guidance and support I would not have had the opportunity to investigate this subject. I would also like to thank Professor Brian Campbell and Dr Colin Adams for agreeing to be my doctoral examiners and acknowledge how much I have benefited from their advice. I was educated at Lagan College in Belfast, the first cross-community integrated school to be established in Northern Ireland. The college was founded with the aim of giving young people the opportunity to understand and respect all cultural and religious backgrounds without the divisions of race or social class. I have come to realize how skilfully the teaching staff, led by the principal Dr Brian Lambkin, promoted this ethos among us, without ever discouraging independent thought or undermining the social, or political, views of each individual. I have remained in contact with my school friends throughout my time at university. I especially thank Jenny Kirkwood for helping me with modern language translations and Mawuli Amoaku for offering me the opportunity to visit China. The early stages of my doctoral research were paid for by the Northern Ireland Department of Education and Learning, but I have funded subsequent study from my own resources. Queen’s University Belfast has hosted both my undergraduate study and my postgraduate research. I greatly value my university and I respect the skills and attitudes of its people, who have never discouraged me or disparaged my ideas. In Belfast, Ancient Historians are able to study in the same department as Social Anthropologists and Modern Historians. In this environment, history has a global context and the study of distant cultures has a distinct value. Doctor John Curran and Professor David Whitehead have given me the opportunity to teach tutorial classes in Republican Roman and Classical Greek history at the university. This experience has been invaluable and my position at Queen’s has given me access to library resources and research materials that I would not otherwise have been able to acquire. This has permitted me to pursue my studies long enough to complete this book. I would like to acknowledge my fellow ancient historians Chris McCoubrey and Jonathan Eton. They have offered me practical help and because they are scholars of the Roman military, our conversations have always been lively and interesting.

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AC K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

In particular Jonathan Eton has read early versions of my manuscript and has been able to provide valuable constructive criticism. Shaun McDaid is studying modern Ulster history, but he has always offered me support. Claire Rush, who has a background in Irish history, has also obtained rare books on my behalf and for this I owe her a debt of gratitude. As a student of Social Anthropology Gemma Wieberg uniquely understands the complexities of human society and I have valued her insights. This book is dedicated to my parents William and Elizabeth McLaughlin. They have had to accept that turning my doctoral research into a book has meant financial hardship and my father has worked beyond retirement age to offer me assistance. I must thank my brother Leon for taking the time and trouble to draft my maps and check my ancient references. My whole family, especially my sister Thayna, have given me immeasurable support and encouragement. To all the above, I acknowledge receipt of your kindness and consideration. Without you this book would not have been possible. Raoul McLaughlin Belfast June 2009

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