唐章怀太子墓『客使图』壁画东罗马使者身份质疑

Reconsideration of the Identity of the So-called Eastern Roman Envoy on the Wall Painting from Prince Zhanghuai of Tang dynasty

唐章怀太子墓出土『客使图』壁画中“秃顶”红衣使者被发掘者认为是东罗马使者, 笔者从该使者服饰·发饰·体态等分析, 结合当时唐朝与东罗马交往情况, 认为东罗马与唐朝联系不但次数较少, 而且是间接的, 该使者并非东罗马人, 而是与唐朝高宗时期关系密切且在西域具有相当影响力的康国人.

The bald-headed figure among the diplomatic meeting wore a long red robe with the out-turned collars and an exotic appearance. The excavator believed this image represented one of the diplomats from Eastern Roman Empire. The author raise several doubts about his argument and brought another view of point based upon quantities of archaeological evidence and historical resources. During the period of Prince Zhanghuai, there were no clear indications of Eastern Roman envoys in the Tang court. The focus of the Tang diplomacy was on the western regions. After Emperor Gaozong’s appointment of Sogdian King, Varkhuman as the governor, the official connections became stronger, the Sogdian merchants traded frequently with other nations. This image was probably one of them who was temporally commissioned by the Sogdian court to fulfill this mission.