🟤 GAN YING’S JOURNEY Gan Ying was a Chinese diplomat and explorer who lived during the Han Dynasty. He is best known for his attempted journey to the Roman Empire in 97 CE. Gan Ying's mission was initiated by the Chinese general Ban Chao, who sought to establish diplomatic relations with the Roman Empire. Ban Chao believed that such a relationship would benefit both empires, particularly in trade and cultural exchange. Gan Ying embarked on his journey westward, traveling along the Silk Road. He reached Parthia, an empire that controlled much of the trade routes between China and the West. In Parthia, he was discouraged from continuing his journey to Rome. The Parthians, fearing that closer ties between China and Rome would disrupt their own trade dominance, misled Gan Ying, telling him that the sea voyage to Rome was long and perilous.