the middle east 355In the 3rd month (Mar./Apr.) of 708, envoys from Persia were
received at the court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5026).
Some time in 708, Ni-nieh-shih returned to Ch’ang-an. Emperor
Chung-tsung appointed him General of the Awesome Guards of the
Left. Later, he died of an illness. His son remained in Ch’ang-an (Chiu
T’ang shu 198:15b).
In the 1st (Jan./Feb.), 2nd (Feb./Mar.), and 7th month (July./Aug.)
of 719, envoys from Persia offered regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5027).
In the 10th month (Nov.Dec.) of 722, envoys from Persia presented
a lion (Chiu T’ang shu 8:11b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5027).
On Jan.23, 730, the New Year’s Day, a son of a Persian king con-
gratulated at the T’ang court and presented five kinds of aromatics
(Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5028).^7
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 732, a chief and a Priest of Great
Virtue,^8 sent by the king of Persia, offered gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5028).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 739, a royal son of Persia was
received at the T’ang court (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5029).
In the 3rd month (Apr./May) of 745, envoys from Persia offered
regional objects (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 7th month (July/Aug.) of 746, Persia presented through
an intermediary one rhinoceros and one elephant (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5030).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 747, envoys from Persia presented a
carnelian couch. In the 5th month (June/July), envoys from the king
of Persia presented four leopards (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030). (Ts’e-fu
yüan-kuei p.5030).
In the 4th month (May/June) of 750, envoys presented dance mats
and real pearls without holes (Chiu T’ang shu 198:15b; Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei
p.5030).
In the 9th month (Sep./Oct.) of 751, envoys from Persia offered
gifts (Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei p.5030).
(^7) Ts’e-fu yüan-kuei has two entries, both for the 1st month. The first says that
a royal son of Persia was received at the T’ang court and presented five kinds of
aromatics. The second says that envoys from the king of Persia congratulated on the
New Year’s Day. I take these to refer to the same occasion.
(^8) Perhaps a Zoroastrian priest.