175 BCE

The Pharisees (from the Hebrew perushim, from parash, meaning "to separate") were, depending on the time, a political party, a social movement, and a school of thought among Jews that flourished during the Second Temple Era (536 BCE–70 CE). After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Pharisaic sect was re-established as Rabbinic Judaism — which ultimately produced normative, traditional Judaism, the basis for all contemporary forms of Judaism (with the exception of the Karaites). The relationship between the Phar ...

Including:

• Pharisees - Background: The Religion of Ancient Israel
• Pharisees - Pharisees in the Second Temple Era
• Pharisees - The Persian Period
• Pharisees - The Hellenistic Period
• Pharisees - The Hasmonean Period
• Pharisees - The Roman Period
• Pharisees - From Pharisees to Rabbis
• Pharisees - Pharisaic Principles and Values
• Pharisees - Pharisees and Christianity
• Pharisees - Links

Read more here: » Pharisees: Encyclopedia - Pharisees

The Wisdom of Ben Sira, (or The Wisdom of Yeshua Ben Sira or merely Sirach), called Ecclesiasticus by Christians, is a book written circa 180–175 BCE. The author, Yeshua ben Sira, was a Jew who had been living in Jerusalem, who may in fact have established his school and written his work in Alexandria (Guillaume). His work was written in Hebrew, nevertheless, and translated into Greek ...

Including:

• Ben Sira - The author
• Ben Sira - Date

Read more here: » Ben Sira: Encyclopedia - Ben Sira

As historian E. P. Sanders has observed, of all the religions that existed within the Roman Empire, only two have widespread followings today: Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity, both of which have their origins in Roman-occupied Palestine, both of which claim to be based on the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, and the historical experience of the Jewish people. The story of the cultural and historical background of Jesus is the story of a tempestuous time when these two religions first emerged and diverged. According to the Gospels, Jesus ...

Including:

• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - First Temple Era
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Priests and Kings
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Prophets
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Second Temple Era
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Persian Period
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Hellenistic Period
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Hasmonean Period
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Roman Period
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - After Jesus: The Great Revolt and the Destruction of the Temple
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Jesus in this context
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Overview
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Discussion
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Interpretation of sources
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Reference Sources
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Primary sources
• Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Secondary Sources

Read more here: » Cultural and historical background of Jesus: Encyclopedia - Cultural and historical background of Jesus

The Indo-Greeks (or sometimes Greco-Indians) designate a series of Greek kings, who invaded and controlled parts of northwest and northern India from 180 BCE to around 10 CE. They were the successors in India of the Greco-Bactrian dynasty of Greek kings (the Euthydemids) founded by the military governor Diodotus around 250 BCE when he established the independence of his Bactrian territory from the Seleucid Empire. During the two centuries of their rule, the Indo-Greek kings combined the Greek and Indian languages and sym ...

Including:

• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara
• Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia - Indo-Greek Kingdom

The Greco-Bactrians were a dynasty of Greek kings who controlled Bactria and Sogdiana, an area comprising today's northern Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia, the easternmost area of the Hellenistic world, from 250 to 125 BCE. Their expansion into northern India established the Indo-Greek Kingdom, which was to last until around 10 CE. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was founded by the Seleucid military governor of Bactria Diodotus around ...

Including:

• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights or Festival of Dedication, is an eight day Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which generally is in December, or sometimes, late November. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each of the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second night and so on. In Hebrew script, the word Hanukkah is written חנכה, ḥănukkāh, or חנוכה, Including:

• Hanukkah - Commemoration
• Hanukkah - Historical sources
• Hanukkah - In the Talmud
• Hanukkah - In the Septuagint
• Hanukkah - The story
• Hanukkah - Hanukkah rituals
• Hanukkah - Kindling the Hanukkah Lights
• Hanukkah - When to light the lights
• Hanukkah - Blessings over the candles
• Hanukkah - Additions to the daily prayers
• Hanukkah - Traditional Hanukkah foods
• Hanukkah - Hanukkah games: Dreidel and Gelt
• Hanukkah - Dreidel
• Hanukkah - Chanukkah Gelt
• Hanukkah - Interaction with other traditions
• Hanukkah - Alternative spellings based on transliterating Hebrew letters
• Hanukkah - Background
• Hanukkah - Chronology
• Hanukkah - Battles of the Maccabean revolt
• Hanukkah - When Hanukkah occurs
• Hanukkah - Hanukkah's dates in the Gregorian calendar

Read more here: » Hanukkah: Encyclopedia - Hanukkah

Indo-Scythians - Abiria to Surastrene. The first Indo-Scythian kingdom in the Indian subcontinent occupied the southern part of Pakistan (which they accesses from southern Afghanistan), in the areas from Abiria (Sindh) to Surastrene (Gujarat), from around 110 to 80 BCE. They progressively further moved north into Indo-Greek territory until the conquests of Maues, circa 80 BCE. The Indo-Scythians ultimately established a kingdom in the northwest, based in Taxila, with two Great Satraps, one in Mathura in the east, and one in Surastrene (Gujarat) in the southwest. See also:

Indo-Scythians, Indo-Scythians - Origins, Indo-Scythians - Indo-Scythian kingdoms, Indo-Scythians - Abiria to Surastrene, Indo-Scythians - Gandhara and Punjab, Indo-Scythians - Mathura, Indo-Scythians - Kushan and Indo-Parthian conquests, Indo-Scythians - Western Kshatrapas legacy, Indo-Scythians - The Indo-Scythians and Buddhism, Indo-Scythians - Mathura lion capital, Indo-Scythians - Coinage, Indo-Scythians - Indo-Scythians in Ancient Indian Litterature, Indo-Scythians - Degraded Kshatriyas from the northwest, Indo-Scythians - Invasion of India 180 BCE onward, Indo-Scythians - Extinction in the 5th century CE, Indo-Scythians - Main Indo-Scythian rulers

Read more here: » Indo-Scythians: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Scythians - Indo-Scythian kingdoms

Hanukkah has relatively simple religious rituals that are performed during the eight nights and days of the holiday. Some aspects are practiced at home by the family, other aspects are communal. There are additions to the regular daily prayer services in the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book. Jewish law does not require one to refrain from activities on Hanukkah that would fit the Jewish definition of "work." So, children do not get out of going to school to celebrate the holiday, and parents do not get a week's v ...

See also:

Hanukkah, Hanukkah - Commemoration, Hanukkah - Historical sources, Hanukkah - In the Talmud, Hanukkah - In the Septuagint, Hanukkah - The story, Hanukkah - Hanukkah rituals, Hanukkah - Kindling the Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah - When to light the lights, Hanukkah - Blessings over the candles, Hanukkah - Additions to the daily prayers, Hanukkah - Traditional Hanukkah foods, Hanukkah - Hanukkah games: Dreidel and Gelt, Hanukkah - Dreidel, Hanukkah - Chanukkah Gelt, Hanukkah - Interaction with other traditions, Hanukkah - Alternative spellings based on transliterating Hebrew letters, Hanukkah - Background, Hanukkah - Chronology, Hanukkah - Battles of the Maccabean revolt, Hanukkah - When Hanukkah occurs, Hanukkah - Hanukkah's dates in the Gregorian calendar

Read more here: » Hanukkah: Encyclopedia II - Hanukkah - Hanukkah rituals

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China. To the north, Euthydemus also ruled Sogdiana and Ferghana, and there are indications that from Alexandria Eschate the Greco-Bactrians may have led expeditions as far as Kashgar and Urumqi in Chinese Turkestan, leading to the first known contacts between China and the West around 220 BCE. The Greek historian Strabo too writes that: "they extended their empire even as far as th ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion

There are many records of the Sunga empire persecuting Buddhism, but on the contrary Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and it has been suggested that their invasion of India was not only intended to show their support for the philhellenic Mauryan empire, but also to protect the Buddhist faith from the religious persecutions of the Sungas. Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism. The coins of Demetrius are of four types. One bilingual type with Greek and Kharoshthi lege ...

See also:

Demetrius I of Bactria, Demetrius I of Bactria - Invasion of India, Demetrius I of Bactria - Aftermaths, Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Coinage & connection with Buddhism, Demetrius I of Bactria - Indian sources, Demetrius I of Bactria - Greco-Buddhist art

Read more here: » Demetrius I of Bactria: Encyclopedia II - Demetrius I of Bactria - Demetrius and Buddhism

3rd century BCE: Manetho, a Hellenistic Egyptian chronicler and priest, alleges that Moses was not a Jew, but an Egyptian renegade priest called Osarseph, and portrays the Exodus as the expulsion of a leper colony. 175 BCE-165 BCE: Antiochus Epiphanes sacks Jerusalem, calls Judaism "inimical to humanity", prohibits brit milah, confiscates copies of Torah and erects an altar to Zeus in the Second Temple after plundering it. (See also Maccabees, Hanukkah) 2nd century BCE: Mnaseas of Patros, a Greek author, reports that the Jews worship a donkey's head in the Holy of Holies. Thi ...

See also:

History of anti-Semitism, History of anti-Semitism - Ancient animosity towards Jews, History of anti-Semitism - The 4th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 5th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 6th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 7th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 8th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 9th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 10th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 11th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 12th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 13th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 14th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 15th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 16th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 17th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 18th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 19th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 20th century, History of anti-Semitism - The 21st century, History of anti-Semitism - Books

Read more here: » History of anti-Semitism: Encyclopedia II - History of anti-Semitism - Ancient animosity towards Jews

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China. To the north, Euthydemus also ruled Sogdiana and Ferghana, and there are indications that from Alexandria Eschate the Greco-Bactrians may have led expeditions as far as Kashgar and Urumqi in Chinese Turkestan, leading to the first known contacts between China and the West around 220 BCE. The Greek historian Strabo too writes that: "they extended their empire even as far as the Seres (Chinese) and the Phryni" (Strabo ...

See also:

Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides, Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion

Hanukkah has relatively simple religious rituals that are performed during the eight nights and days of the holiday. Some aspects are practiced at home by the family, other aspects are communal. There are additions to the regular daily prayer services in the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book. Jewish law does not require one to refrain from activities on Hanukkah that would fit the Jewish definition of "work." So, children do not get out of going to school to celebrate the holiday, and parents do not get a week's vacation from employment, either. Ha ...

See also:

Hanukkah, Hanukkah - Commemoration, Hanukkah - Historical sources, Hanukkah - In the Talmud, Hanukkah - In the Septuagint, Hanukkah - The story, Hanukkah - Hanukkah rituals, Hanukkah - Kindling the Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah - When to light the lights, Hanukkah - Blessings over the candles, Hanukkah - Additions to the daily prayers, Hanukkah - Traditional Hanukkah foods, Hanukkah - Hanukkah games: Dreidel and Gelt, Hanukkah - Dreidel, Hanukkah - Chanukkah Gelt, Hanukkah - Interaction with other traditions, Hanukkah - Alternative spellings based on transliterating Hebrew letters, Hanukkah - Background, Hanukkah - Chronology, Hanukkah - Battles of the Maccabean revolt, Hanukkah - When Hanukkah occurs, Hanukkah - Hanukkah's dates in the Gregorian calendar

Read more here: » Hanukkah: Encyclopedia II - Hanukkah - Hanukkah rituals

The author is called in the Greek text (l. 27) "Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem." The copy owned by Saadia Gaon had the reading "Shim`on, son of Yeshua`, son of El`azar ben Sira"; and a similar reading occurs in the Hebrew manuscript B. By interchanging the positions of the names "Shim`on" and "Yeshua`," the same reading is obtained as in the other manuscripts. The correctness of the name "Shim`on" is confirmed by the Syriac version, which has "Yeshua`, son of Shim`on, surnamed Bar Asira." The discrepancy between the two readings "Bar A ...

See also:

Ben Sira, Ben Sira - The author, Ben Sira - Date

Read more here: » Ben Sira: Encyclopedia II - Ben Sira - The author

In addition to the worship of the Classical pantheon of the Greek deities found on their coins (Zeus, Herakles, Athena, Apollo...), the Indo-Greeks were involved with local faiths, particularly with Buddhism, but also with Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhism. Main article: Greco-Buddhism The Edicts of Ashoka, inscribed during the reign of the Indian emperor Ashoka (273-232 BCE), claim that the Greek populations of the northwestern Indian subcontinent (in today's Afghani ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Early History, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Evidence of the initial invasion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation and rise of Menander I, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Bactrian invasions against Indo-Greek Kingdoms, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Economy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Armed forces, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Later History, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Enduring legacy of the Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - List of the Indo-Greek kings and their territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - Religion

Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Persian Period. In 539 BCE the Persians conquered Babylon and in 537 BCE, inaugurated the Persian period of Jewish history. In 520 BCE Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple (completed 515 BCE). He appointed Zerubbabel (the grandson of the second to last Judean king, Jehoiachin) governor, but did not allow the restoration of the kingdom. Without the constraining power of the monarchy, the authority of the Temple was amplified, and p ...

See also:

Cultural and historical background of Jesus, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - First Temple Era, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Priests and Kings, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Prophets, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Second Temple Era, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Persian Period, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Hellenistic Period, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Hasmonean Period, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Roman Period, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - After Jesus: The Great Revolt and the Destruction of the Temple, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Jesus in this context, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Overview, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Discussion, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Interpretation of sources, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Reference Sources, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Primary sources, Cultural and historical background of Jesus - Secondary Sources

Read more here: » Cultural and historical background of Jesus: Encyclopedia II - Cultural and historical background of Jesus - The Second Temple Era

Pharisees - The Persian Period. In 539 BCE the Persians conquered Babylon and in 537 BCE, inaugurating the Persian period of Jewish history. Cyrus the Great allowed Jews to return to Judea and rebuild the Temple (completed in 515 BCE). He did not, however, allow the restoration of the monarchy, which left the priests as the dominant authority. Without the constraining power of the monarchy, the authority of the Temple was amplified. Around this time the Sadducee party emerged as the party of priests and allied el ...

See also:

Pharisees, Pharisees - Background: The Religion of Ancient Israel, Pharisees - Pharisees in the Second Temple Era, Pharisees - The Persian Period, Pharisees - The Hellenistic Period, Pharisees - The Hasmonean Period, Pharisees - The Roman Period, Pharisees - From Pharisees to Rabbis, Pharisees - Pharisaic Principles and Values, Pharisees - Pharisees and Christianity, Pharisees - Links

Read more here: » Pharisees: Encyclopedia II - Pharisees - Pharisees in the Second Temple Era

In the turmoil following the death of Antiochus IV during a Persian campaign in 163 BCE, Timarchus became the more or less independent ruler of Media, opposing the general Lysias who acted as steward for the infant king Antiochus V Eupator, son of Antiochus IV. In 162 BCE Demetrius I, the proper heir to the Seleucid throne, became king, killing Lysias as well as the young Antiochus V. This may well have been the provocation that caused Timarchus to take the ...

See also:

Timarchus, Timarchus - Short reign and defeat, Timarchus - Sources

Read more here: » Timarchus: Encyclopedia II - Timarchus - Short reign and defeat

Main article: Greco-Buddhism The Edicts of Ashoka, inscribed during the reign of the Indian emperor Ashoka (273-232 BCE), claim that the Greek populations of the northwestern Indian subcontinent (in today's Afghanistan and ancient Gandhara) had already welcomed Buddhism by around 250 BCE: "Here in the king's domain among the Greeks, the Kambojas, the Nabhakas, the Nabhapamkits, the Bhojas, the Pitinikas, the Andhras and the Palidas, everywhere people are following Beloved-of-the-Gods' instructions ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism

Buddhism flourished under the Indo-Greek kings, and it has been suggested that their invasion of India was intended to show their support for the philhellenic Mauryan empire, and to protect the Buddhist faith from the religious persecutions of the Sungas. Demetrius, who organized the invasion, was named Dharmamita ("Friend of the Dharma") in the Indian text of the Yuga-Purana. The city of Sirkap founded by Demetrius combines Greek and ...

See also:

Indo-Greek Kingdom, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Historical outline, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Occupation of Northern India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Consolidation, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Buddhism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The conversion of Menander, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist proselytism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Buddhist symbolism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Representation of the Buddha, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Incipient Greco-Buddhist art, Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and other faiths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Hinduism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Zoroastrianism, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greeks in the art of Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Scythian and Kushan invasions, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Aftermaths, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Art and religion, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Astronomy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Military role, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Linguistic legacy, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Influence of Indo-Greek coinage, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Genetic contribution, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Greco-Roman exchanges with India, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Main Indo-Greek kings timeline and territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Eastern territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Western territories, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Indo-Greek princelets Gandhara, Indo-Greek Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Indo-Greek Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Indo-Greek Kingdom - The Indo-Greeks and Indian culture