Annius Plocamus was aRoman tax collector from theMediterranean, who facilitated direct trade and the first contacts between theRoman Empire andAncient Sri Lanka.[1][2][3][4][5]
The Romans had already heard about the island of Sri Lanka, which the Greeks had described under the name ofTaprobane. However, according toPliny, as described in hisNatural History, it was during the reign of the EmperorClaudius (AD 41–54) that the two civilizations first met.[1] A freedman of Annius Plocamus having farmed the customs of theRed Sea on behalf of his state's treasury, while sailing along the coast ofArabia, was driven by northern monsoon winds, passed Carmania and on the fifteenth day into Hippuros, a port ofCeylon. The freedman was entertained with hospitality by theSri Lankan monarch.
With the freedman's description of the Romans and Caesar, as well as the impressive quality of Roman coins in his possession, the Sinhalese king sent an embassy to learn more about these people.[3] According to Pliny, the decision to send an embassy was made by the king's perception of Roman honesty when the captureddenarii turned out to be of the same weight. These coins were seized as rights dictated.[1] The embassy of four envoys were sent to Rome, including ambassador-in-chief Rachias.[6]
Two graffiti on the ancient Coptas-Berenice road belonging to Lysas, a freedman of Annius Plocamus have been found and dated from July, 6 - 54 CE, in both Greek and Latin.[3][7]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)