The East had a monopoly on this material until the 6th century, when 2 monks smuggled out some worms
In 
some societies, trade became a means of social mobility, as Chinese merchants, 
.... story attributes it to a Chinese princess who smuggled out silkworms in her 
turban ... From its beginnings in India during the sixth century b.c.e., Buddhism 
had... [DOC] [TLE] I'm in a market in Rome at the height of the empire (say ... - Rebrn.com [PAR] May 21, 2016 ... R. McLaughlin has a new (2014) book called The Roman Empire and ... smuggle 
live silk worms out of China was a virtually automatic death penalty for all 
involved.