Roman Far East Trade & the Silk Road Roman trade with the Far East, primarily China and India, flourished between the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century CE via the Silk Road and maritime routes. Roman merchants sought silk, spices, gems, and other luxury goods, while exporting glassware, wine, and coins. This trade connected the Roman Empire with distant cultures, fostering economic and cultural exchanges. Though indirect, as intermediaries handled most trade, these connections shaped early glo