Chapter 6: Shrinking the Afro-Eurasian World, 350 bce–250 ce
Research Topics
Alexander´s invasion of South Asia symbolized the growing network of communication and exchange between that region and societies in western Afro-Eurasia. Hellenistic philosophers and their Roman counterparts wrote extensively about South Asia after Alexander´s incursion. As the excerpt below from Strabo, a geographer residing in the Roman Empire in the last century before the common era suggests, Greek and Roman observers understood much of the basic contours of South Asian culture. As you read the following account, look for instances were Strabo correctly identifies distinct features of South Asian society such as the caste system or religious customs. How accurate is his depiction of the geography of the region? As Chapter 6 explores, Hellenistic culture also had a profound influence on South Asia. How do the following images of artifacts from this era demonstrate this development? How aware do you think Strabo was of Hellenistic influence in South Asia when he wrote his account?
Featured Documents
- Strabo. Geography: Book XV: On India (first century)
- Inscription in the Kushan language using Greek letters. From a stupa dedicated to the Kushan king Kanishka (first–second century CE)
- Silver tetradrachm of Azes I, Scythian, from Gandhara and Taxila, north-west Pakistan, 57–10 BCE.
- Fragment of a frieze from the central step of a stair leading up to a stupa. Limestone, Gandhara style, from Chatchil-i-Gundi, Hadda, Afghanistan
- Seated Buddha, Gandhara, first–third century CE
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