Maurya Empire & Formation of Silk Road

I. Role of Alexander, Successor States & HellenismII. Maurya Empire ConnectionIII. Nomad Connection & Kushan EmpireIV. Trade & Buddhism along Silk Road

IDs: Asoka (r. 268-231bce), Kushan Empire, Xiongnu, bodhisattva, Mahayana Buddhism

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

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.

A. Role of Alexander and Hellenistic Successor States

Foundation of Institutions supporting trade

Spread of Hellenistic Culture

Greek languageGymnasiums (education)TheatersAthletic gamesArtPoliticsPhilosophy Dress/Style

Hellenism/Hellenistic Culture

• Influences elites from Spain to India

• Cosmopolitanism

“Indo-Greek” states: Graeco-Bactria

II. Maurya Empire Connection, 321-184 BCE

First large-scale South Asian empire

Chandragupta MauryaSeleucid kingdom

Expanded into Persia & Central Asia

Exchange with Seleucid Empire

Asoka (reigned 268-231 BCE)

Third Mauryan king

1. Conqueror untilKalinga conquest

2. Adopted Buddhism

Built stupasRule by dhamma (dharma)

3. Rock & Pillar Edicts

Multicultural tolerance: hundreds of South Asian ethnic groups, Hindus, Buddhists, Greeks, Persians

III. Nomad Connection

• steppe• Central Asia

A. Nomad Invasions, 200 BCE – 50 CE

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

2. Xiongnu pressure Yuezhi & Qin & Han in China

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

B. Nomads

• Supported trade networks already established• Extended trade • Adopted cultures of settled peoples they

conquered

Coin of Saka (nomad) king Maues

Image of Zeus“King of Kings, the

Great Maues” (Persian title written in Greek letters)

Greek goddess NikeSame inscription

written in S. Asian script

C. Kushan Empire

1. Bridge to China: Formation of Silk Road, 50 CE

HorsesSilkAllies against Xiongnu

III. The Silk Road

A. Overland Route

SpicesLuxuriesSilkCaravansCommercial hubs:

Petra & Palmyra

B. Sea Routes

C. Spread & Transformation of Buddhism

1. Spread into Central Asia (Kushan Empire)

2. Changes in Buddhism

• The Buddha becomes a god

• Nirvana becomes afterlife (Buddha lands)

2. Creation of Mahayana Buddhism

Great Vehiclebodhisattva

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?

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