关于汉代海上丝绸之路的再思考

New Perspectives on Marine Silk Road in Han Dynasty

汉代南方海上丝绸之路的开拓,首先是汉武帝派遣使节搜求奇珍异宝的结果,目的在于获得满足宫廷生活的高端奢侈品,一开始并不是一种经济行为。使节所走的商路,并不具有张骞通西域那样的"凿空"性质,之前南洋和西洋的商人已经经此往返。海上丝路的开通,实际上是中外政府和商人双向努力的结果,外邦方面可能贡献更大。由于汉政府的有意限制,以及贸易商品主要局限于高档奢侈品,汉代海上丝绸之路的贸易规模很小,没有对岭南社会的经济文化面貌造成很大影响。但在汉帝国境内,岭南沿海各郡之间的贸易活动比较繁荣,今天留下的考古遗迹,大多数是海上丝路境内段商贸活动的结果,与远洋贸易关系不大。

The southern marine silk road in Han Dynasty had been exploited by Emperor Wu of Han（汉武帝）who wanted to obtain treasures for his court.It was not for business obviously.The sea pathway which emissaries（译长,Translation Officer）went through had been opened by some western traders.China and foreign governments and business men all had contributions for the Road but the later did more,especially Rome（大秦）.The marine silk road in Han Dynasty was not so important for foreign trade in fact and had a little impact for the southern China society because of the restraint of trade.Whereas,the internal trade was active among many counties in Lingnan Area.The archaeological discoveries mainly came from these internal trade but not international one.