title: The Hülegüids, 1258-1335, and the challenge of extended lines of communication
abstract: Communication and contact between the two ancient civilizations of Iran and China have a long, if sometimes sporadic, history.From the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE -220 CE) 'strategic' communication -communication networks that are essential to the survival of a statehave been a significant aspect of statecraft as rulers over a millennium ago endeavoured to defend their dominions and sustain their power.The interdiction of communication networks could lead to governance becoming paralysed as
journal: SOAS Research Online (SOAS University of London)