Following the opening of the Silk Road in the 2nd century BCE, the Chinese liked to think of the Roman Empire as a civilized pendant to the Chinese Empire, both occupying the extreme positions on the trade route, hence the "mirror" name.
The Chinese liked to think of the Roman Empire as a civilized pendant to the Chinese Empire. This was following the opening of the Silk Road in the 2nd century BCE. The Chinese Empire was both occupying the extreme positions on the trade route "mirror" name. The trade route was hence the.