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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
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
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
• 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