Relations between the Southern Dynasties (Nanchao) and the Xiyu

Previous studies have reported that China had frequent correspondence and exchanges with western countries through the Three Kingdoms period and the Disunity period from the Han Dynasty period. Thus, it is thought that the Nanchao regime's awareness and understanding of the western countries already reached a matured phase. However, the frequency and scale of exchanges show different aspects depending on China's own political changes. China sharply stood face to face in terms of political domination because of its two civil divisions into north and south regimes, especially during the Nanchao period. During the Nanchao period the direct approach to and negotiations with western countries was somewhat inconvenient. In the meantime, the Roman Empire's internal political vortex also had a significant impact on the network in East-West cultural exchanges. On the other hand, the Northern dynasties' bargaining with western countries proceeded with very active exchanges due to geographical environment and history. However, the bargaining between the Southern Dynasties and western countries was neither disconnected nor unfulfilled. Rather, the passage of negotiations became more diversified. In particular, since new bargaining routes were secured, direct contact with the west was still in progress. These external backgrounds left considerable cultural factors on the societies of the Southern Dynasties. This therefore enables us to conclude the bargaining between both parties. Since the specific bargaining situation between the Southern Dynasties and western countries is observed in records from archaeological data and in some literature, it serves to provide objective evidence. This paper attempts to look into the aspect of East-West civilization exchanges at the time by reviewing archaeological materials related to literature records and at the same time discussing the Southern Dynasties' bargaining process and form. KCI Citation Count: 0