1. Maurya and Gupta Empires

2. Maurya Empire 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

4. 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 ( 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

5. 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 ( 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