Monks smuggle silkworms to Byzantium
The secret of silk leaves Asia hidden in bamboo canes
Byzantium paid dearly for silk and even believed it came from India. Around 552 two monks promised Justinian they would fetch silkworms, and returned from Asia with eggs hidden in their bamboo canes — the start of the empire's own silk industry.
Wikipedia (English) · 6th century
Did you know
The secret of silk left Asia inside walking sticks. Around 552 two monks working for Justinian hid silkworm eggs in hollow bamboo canes, and Byzantium began making its own silk. Share →
Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)
Middle East
- 529–534 Code of Justinian — 23 years earlier
Asia
- c. 538 Buddhism reaches Japan — 14 years earlier
- 552 Founding of the First Turkic Khaganate — same year
Alive at the time
- Justinian I (aged 70)
- Khosrow I (aged 51)