sérica

Serica refers to a historical region encompassing much of ancient China. The name "Serica" was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to describe the land from which silk was imported. It was believed to be a distant and mysterious empire located in the Far East. The exact boundaries of Serica were not precisely understood by the Western world, but it is generally accepted to have corresponded to the Han Dynasty's territory and potentially beyond.

The primary commodity associated with Serica was silk, a luxurious fabric highly prized in the Roman Empire and other parts of the ancient world. The arduous and lengthy journey of silk from its origin to its Western markets contributed to the mystique surrounding Serica. Trade routes, most notably the Silk Road, facilitated this exchange, though the direct contact between Roman traders and the inhabitants of Serica was likely minimal.

The identity of the people of Serica was also a subject of speculation in the West. While they were known for their advanced civilization and craftsmanship, particularly in silk production, detailed knowledge of their culture, politics, and society was scarce. Roman geographers and historians, such as Ptolemy, attempted to map and describe Serica, often incorporating hearsay and fragmented accounts. The term Serica thus served as a label for a vast, somewhat unknown territory connected to the West through the vital trade of silk.