The East had a monopoly on this material until the 6th century, when 2 monks smuggled out some worms
[DOC] [TLE] Silk and Byzantium | Sarper Ylmaz - Academia.edu [PAR] SILK and BYZANTIUM From 4th to 11th Century Silk might have been played an 
... For over 2500 years China held the monopoly of the silk production, weaving 
and ... asked certain monks who had learned about sericulture to smuggle out 
silk ... for feeding of silk worms became widespread after some time in sixth 
century... [DOC] [TLE] I'm in a market in Rome at the height of the empire (say ... - Reddit [PAR] May 22, 2016 ... Was it a once a year event to use some [insert exotic spice here] or more of a ...