DA QIN AND FULIN. IMAGE OF THE WEST IN CHINESE SOURCES - MARTA ŻUCHOWSKA, KATARZYNA SAREK

Embark on a fascinating journey through ancient Central Asia through the eyes of the Chinese. Discover exotic lands and the secrets of the New Silk Road contained in ancient Chinese texts. This wonderful scientific study is the key to understanding history and culture that has so far been available only to a small circle of researchers.

• In-depth analysis of ancient Chinese sources
• Unique view of Central Asia
• Engaging reading for history and culture lovers
• Enriching knowledge about the New Silk Road
• Work by outstanding sinologists and archaeologists
• Inspiration for further research on world history

Reading the sources presented here opens up a field for discussion on many levels. The texts were created in the environment of Chinese scholars, who, although they received a careful education, were strongly influenced by the Chinese literary and philosophical tradition. Their accounts of western lands cannot be assessed solely in the context of contemporary knowledge of the history of the Mediterranean region and confronted with the facts known to us from history. One must remember the influence of Chinese historiography, mythology and geographical concepts, which in many cases significantly distorted the image conveyed in these works.

The collection of accounts of Da Qin and Fulin is a unique historical source, allowing for the analysis not only of the state of knowledge available to Chinese scholars about the borders of the western continent known to them, but also of the Chinese approach to geography and concepts of the world. Despite further research, many aspects of this source message are still unexplained, and many questions regarding its meaning remain open.