held by iron chains, guarded by powerful Yavanas whose stern looks strike terror into every beholder, and whose long and loose coats are fastened at the waist by means of belts; while dumb Mlêchas clad in complete armour, who could express themselves only by gestures, kept close watch throughout the night in the outer chamber, constantly moving round the inner apartment which was lighted by a handsome lamp.”[1] It is evident from this description that Yavana and other Mlêchas or foreigners, were employed as bodyguards by ancient Tamil Kings. Yavana vases and Yavana lamps with the figure of a swan on the top of each,[2] or lamps in the shape of a female statue in a standing posture, holding with both hands the receptacle for oil and wick, appear to have been in common use in the Tamil country.[3] There was a colony of Yavana merchants at Kavirip-paddinam which was the great emporium of trade on the Eastern Coast.[4] The Roman trade with the Tamil land and other parts of India was carried on, on such a large scale that, as stated by Pliny, there was no year in which, India did not drain the Roman Empire of at least fifty- five millions of sesterces (£986,979) bending in return wares which were sold for a hundred times their original value.[5] That Roman gold poured largely into the Tamil country at this period, is attested by the numerous Roman coins, dating from the reign of Augustus to that of Zeno (B. C. 27 to A. D. 491) which have been found buried in different parts of the Tamil land. According to the Peutingerian Tables, which are believed to have been constructed about 226 A. D.; the Romans even at that date are said to have had a force of two cohorts (840 to 1,200 men) at Muchiri to protect their trade, and they had also erected a temple to Augustus at the same place.[6]
Of the trade with eastern nations no detailed accounts are available ; but there are many allusions in ancient Tamil poems to voyages undertaken by merchants and others to Nâgapuram in Châvakam (Sumatra or Java), Kâlakam in Burma and seaports in Ceylon and Bengal.
