In an encyclopedia of the Roman Empire compiled by Pliny (Historia Naturalis), there is a passage that discusses metals. He states that the Seres brought with them iron, fabrics, and skins. Although there are several references to the Seres, there is no other passage in which the Seres and iron are brought together. However, upon this slight authority rests the assumption that steel was brought to imperial Rome from China. The iron industry of China assumed important aspects throughout the centuries. The first accurate information concerning China was supplied by the author of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. It is learned from this author that many items came tom Rome from a city in China in which silk, furs, and iron were brought to various points on the West coast of India. The making of steel in early India has been fully described, the methods ascertained, and the sources of the industry located. As a result, the various references to the Seres in Roman texts cannot be harmonized for any one people and it is certainly an unnecessary interpretation to identify them with the Chinese.

• The Eastern Iron Trade of the Roman Empire (page 5)