Imagine if China and Italy...

[marina_bonomi]

had been close allies for about 2000 years, how would world history be different?

A few days ago ysabetwordsmith left a prompt to thesilentpoet:

In 97 AD, Chinese General Pan Chao sent an embassy to the Roman empire, but little came of it. Suppose China and Italy had united, how would that change things?

This poem was the result, outlining a whole timeline. If you know me you

Comments

Read "Cai Luoma and the Parthians" by Marina Bonomi

[livejournal]

User ysabetwordsmith referenced to your post from Read "Cai Luoma and the Parthians" by Marina Bonomi saying: [...] and well!   has added to The Silk Road Allies with the poem "Cai Luoma and the Parthians [...]

[thesilentpoet]

Lovely. :) I especially love the last three lines.

I am so glad this shared universe is taking off! Do we have a place we could post all the various poems? I'll definitely be writing another one before next week is out.

[marina_bonomi]

Thank you! :)
Elizabeth is working on a shared universe page on her own site, maybe it could be good to have a 'Silk Road Allies' community where we all (and other interested people) could post relevant material?

I'm looking forward to your next piece! Any hints?

[thesilentpoet]

I'd be up creating such a community, although I would ask for you or Elizabeth to be a co-moderator. I work 6 days a week between 2 jobs, it's not quite conducive to moderating a community constantly if needed.

I'm thinking one of two, if you care to weigh in.

Either, a further exploration of the two countries' relationship during WW2,

Or, Italy during the Renaissance, should they have had the Chinese influence.

[marina_bonomi]

No problem at all filling in as co-moderator,actually I think all three of us should cooperate in that.

Both your ideas are very interesting, if I remember, you said earlier you had been reading a lot of WW II material if it were me, I'd start with that since it's fresh research. :)

[la_marquise_de_]

Those are just lovely, and a fascinating glimpse into a what if.

[marina_bonomi]

Thank you, said by someone who is both an historian and a very fine writer it means a lot.

We are hoping of turning 'The Silk Road Allies' in a communal project, with people of different talents cooperating on an agreed canon. If you ever feel tempted to come in and play (in whatever capacity and under no obligation whatsoever) you'd be more than welcome.

[la_marquise_de_]

Alas, I don't know enough.
You might ask my friend anna_wing, though. This might be just her thing.

[marina_bonomi]

Thanks for the suggestion. :)
Hope you'll drop by and see how the group goes, when you feel like it.