History of civilizations of Central Asia: The Development of Sedentary and Nomadic Civilizations: 700 B.C. to A.D. 250Volume II presents an account of various population movements and cultural exchanges in Central Asia between 700 B.C. and 250 A.D. Important nomadic tribal cultures such as the Kushans emerged during this period. Contacts between the Mediterranean and the Indus Valley were reinforced by the campaigns of Alexander the Great and, under his successors, the progressive syncretism between Zoroastrianism, Greek religion and Buddhism gave rise to a new civilization instituted by the Parthians, known for its artistic creations. Under Kushan rule, Central Asia became the crossroads of a prosperous trade between the Mediterranean and China along the Silk Route. |
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Achaemenid agricultural Alexander Amu Darya ancient Arachosia Aramaic archaeological Asian Avestan Ay Khanum Azes Bactria bronze Buddha Buddhist burial Central Asia centre China Chinese Chorasmia coinage coins conquest cult culture Darius dynasty east eastern evidence excavations Ferghana Gandhāra Gāndhārī Gondophares Graeco-Bactrian graves Greek Han-shu Harmatta Hellenistic History Hsiung-nu Huvishka Indian Indo-Greek Indo-Parthian Indus inscription Iran Iranian irrigation K'ang-chü Kanishka Kanishka II Khalchayan Kharoṣṭhī Khotanese Saka kingdom Kujula Kushan Empire Kushan period language large number Litvinsky Margiana Mathura Merv Mongolia Moscow nomadic northern oasis Old Persian Oxus Parthian Prakrit provinces Pugachenkova religious river Roman royal ruler sanctuary Sasanian satraps script sculptures Scythians second century B.C. Seleucid shan-yü Silk Route Śiva Sogdiana southern steppe stone stupa Surkh Kotal Syr Darya Takht-i Tashkent Taxila Termez territory third century B.C. trade tribes Trudî valley Vima Kadphises Western Regions Wu-sun Xinjiang Yüeh-chih Zoroastrian