This case, if we agree with some of the arguments, is really unique. The uniqueness lies in the only recorded case in history when Roman soldiers clashed with Chinese during the Battle of Talas in 36 BC, between the Huns - the defenders of the fortress and the forces of the Han Empire (including its allies).
If we take into account the fact that the Talas Valley (the place of the battle) is located between modern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, then one can ask quite a fair question: okay, the Chinese, but what were the Romans doing thousands of kilometers from home between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
Before answering this question, let's briefly talk about the battle itself. A certain Chinese soldier named Chen Tang organized a campaign against the sick Xiongnu leader Chzhichzhi, who, not only was going to create his own kingdom in Asia and got all the Chinese, but also killed the official ambassador, and such things could not be forgiven.
Chzhichzhi rebuilt the fortress in two years, where he was at the time of Chen Tang's arrival, who took it by storm. The Huns even tried to make sorties, but the Chinese crossbowmen knew their business well, and the sorties did not bring success. As Chen Tang himself reported to the emperor, during the attack, the gates of the fortress were defended by a detachment (numbering more than one hundred) of soldiers, which were built with "fish scales". In addition, it is important to pay attention to the reports of sources that the fortress was protected by a double palisade, a moat with water and bridges.
Let's say right away that the fortress was taken, Chzhichzhi was killed, and with him a large number of people. In addition, over a hundred people were taken as captives.
It would seem, what does the Romans have to do with it? Here's the thing. English Sinologist (Sinologist, if you like) Homer G. Debs drew attention to the fact that the fortress was defended by a hundred soldiers built in the form of "fish scales" and correlated this with the Roman construction method called "turtle". In his work, he pointed out the unlikely use of such a fighting technique by local fighters, because the formation of the "turtle" requires a clear coordination of actions and training.
Another indirect sign, which Homer G. Debs draws attention to in his work, is the fortification of the fortress, the description of which coincides with the Roman one.
The version of where the Roman detachment came from in these places looks quite fair. The fact is that in 53 BC. (17 years before the Battle of Talas), the Battle of Carrhae took place, in which the troops of Mark Licinius Crassus suffered a crushing defeat from the Parthians. A significant part of the Romans was captured, and then sent to Margiana to protect the eastern borders of the Parthian state. It was in these parts that the battle described above took place.
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It is not known exactly what happened to the detachment after the battle. It is only obvious that they either died among many, or were sent further east in the number of 145 prisoners.