Maurya and Gupta Empires

Maurya Empire 322-187 BCE Taking advantage of the fall of the Hellenistic Empire, Maurya began conquest of most of South Asia from Pataliputra in East India This empire was later expanded by Ashoka, who continued conquest And officially attempted to spread Buddhism throughout the subcontinent Ashoka established monasteries and stupas in an attempt to consolidate Buddhism, as well as a common currency and protective system For roughly 100 years, the Maurya Empire flourished after Ashoka, as science, trade, and peace prospered The empire ended due to India’s wide diversity, its adherence to Hinduism, and a military coup (overthrow of emperor) and split of the empire

Gupta Empire – 321–550 CE India was later almost reunified by Sri Gupta in the 300s CE as the many kingdoms of the subcontinent were largely conquered and united The Gupta Empire, like the Maurya, brought stability, peace, and prosperity Known as the Golden Age of India (350-550 CE), many artistic, literary, and scientific works were created or discovered Much of Hindu culture finds its roots in the cultural workings of the Gupta Empire, as well as many advances in math symbols (numbers and decimals) and science Weakened by invasions from the White Huns of Central Asia, the old, independent kingdoms soon were able to break away from India, leaving it once again divided

Fall of Classical Empires Invasions: Huns and Germanic tribes in Western Rome, Xiongnu Confederation in Han China, and White Huns in the Gupta Empire Rebellions: Spartacus Slave Rebellion in Rome (73 BC), Yellow Turban Rebellion (Daoists) in Han China (184-204 CE) Disease: Antonin Plague (180 BCE) and Plague of Justinian (540 BCE) in Rome from the East Unity broken down: elites paid too little taxes, and rebelled or defected in Han China and the Gupta Empire