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Maurya Empire & Formation of Silk Road

Maurya Empire & Formation of Silk Road. Role of Alexander, Successor States & Hellenism Maurya Empire Connection Nomad Connection & Kushan Empire Trade & Buddhism along Silk Road IDs: Asoka (r. 268-231bce), Kushan Empire, Xiongnu , bodhisattva, Mahayana Buddhism.

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Maurya Empire & Formation of Silk Road

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  1. Maurya Empire & Formation of Silk Road • Role of Alexander, Successor States & Hellenism • Maurya Empire Connection • Nomad Connection & Kushan Empire • Trade & Buddhism along Silk Road IDs: Asoka (r. 268-231bce), Kushan Empire, Xiongnu, bodhisattva, Mahayana Buddhism

  2. Major Shift from 336 BCE-50 CE: Afro-Eurasia becomes more connected

  3. Argument • Between 336 BCE and 50 CE, the Silk Road was formed by the collective actions of Alexander of Macedonia, the Hellenistic successor states, the Maurya Empire, the Central Asian nomads & the Chinese. Once formed, its east-west and north-south connections across Afro-Eurasia were never broken.

  4. A. Role of Alexander and Hellenistic Successor States

  5. Foundation of Institutions supporting trade

  6. Spread of Hellenistic Culture Greek language Gymnasiums (education) Theaters Athletic games Art Politics Philosophy Dress/Style

  7. Hellenism/Hellenistic Culture Influences elites from Spain to India Cosmopolitanism

  8. “Indo-Greek” states: Graeco-Bactria

  9. II. Maurya Empire Connection, 321-184 BCE First large-scale South Asian empire Chandragupta Maurya Seleucid kingdom

  10. Expanded into Persia & Central Asia Exchange with Seleucid Empire

  11. Asoka (reigned 268-231 BCE) Third Mauryan king 1. Conqueror until Kalinga conquest

  12. 2. Adopted Buddhism Built stupas Rule by dhamma (dharma)

  13. 3. Rock & Pillar Edicts Multicultural tolerance: hundreds of South Asian ethnic groups, Hindus, Buddhists, Greeks, Persians

  14. III. Nomad Connection steppe Central Asia

  15. A. Nomad Invasions, 200 BCE – 50 CE

  16. 1. Conquer Seleucid Empire  “Persian” Empire (200 BCE)

  17. 2. Xiongnu pressure Yuezhi & Qin & Han in China

  18. 3. Yuezhi flee southeast, conquer Bactria & form Kushan Empire (50 CE)

  19. B. Nomads • Supported trade networks already established • Extended trade • Adopted cultures of settled peoples they conquered

  20. Coin of Saka (nomad) king Maues Image of Zeus “King of Kings, the Great Maues” (Persian title written in Greek letters) Greek goddess Nike Same inscription written in S. Asian script

  21. C. Kushan Empire 1. Bridge to China: Formation of Silk Road, 50 CE Horses Silk Allies against Xiongnu

  22. III. The Silk Road

  23. A. Overland Route Spices Luxuries Silk Caravans Commercial hubs: Petra & Palmyra

  24. B. Sea Routes

  25. C. Spread & Transformation of Buddhism Spread into Central Asia (Kushan Empire)

  26. 2. Changes in Buddhism • The Buddha becomes a god • Nirvana becomes afterlife (Buddha lands)

  27. 2. Creation of Mahayana Buddhism Great Vehicle bodhisattva

  28. Question • How did the successor states, the Maurya Empire, nomads & the Chinese contribute to the formation of the Silk Road and the exchanges which took place along it?

  29. 3. Effects of Alexander & Successor States Lasting connection between regions across Afro-Eurasia Silk Road & sea routes Huge increase in trade Cultural exchange Hellenism Buddhism

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