In this episode of the Empire podcast, William Dalrymple and Anita explore the influence of ancient India on the Roman Empire, focusing on the trade relationship between the two. They discuss archaeological finds like the Berenike Buddha, which signify the intersection of cultures, and the importance of Indian goods such as ivory, spices, and silk to the Roman economy. The discussion covers the Mosiris Papyrus, a shipping invoice that highlights the vast sums Romans paid for Indian luxuries, and the surprising statistic that trade with India may have generated a significant portion of the Roman Empire's income. They also touch on the story of St. Thomas's journey to India and the early presence of Christianity in India, as well as the potential influence of Buddhist monasticism on early Christian monasticism.
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