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 bce), 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

12. Asoka (reigned BCE)
Third Mauryan king 1. Conqueror until Kalinga conquest

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

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

15. III. Nomad Connection
steppe
Central Asia

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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

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

23. III. The Silk Road

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

25. B. Sea Routes

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

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

28. 2. Creation of Mahayana Buddhism
Great Vehicle bodhisattva

29. 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?

30. 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