Quote:
Originally Posted by Altair
Yes, because they had contact. This was after Pythagoras.
|
How can you proclaim for sure this was after Pythagoras when the third-century AD greek philosopher Philostratus had claimed that Pythagoras also studied under Hindu sages in India.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Altair
Where is the evidence of Indian food, goods and teachings in Europe, or Greek food and goods in India, before Alexander?
|
I have mentioned about Indian articles like the Shivalingam being exhibited in museums in Rome. Western scholars like Will Durant have speculated on the similarities between Plato's philosophy of the philosopher-king and the Rajarshi ( saint-king) of Indian philosophy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Altair
Possibly indirectly through Persia as a proxy but nothing grand.
|
Persia was a direct land route between India and Greece as well, and the Persians were a great civilization in itself then. This also could have brought about trade and cultural ties with the Greeks and not just the Mesapotamians.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Altair
Later on, post-Alexander, Indian culture seem more impacted by Greek culture than the other way around.
|
India gained in terms of sculpture and astrology from the Greeks, and Greeks like the Greek king Menander and others were influenced by Buddhism. Menander is even considered to be a great benefactor to Buddhism on par with Ashoka the Great.
The dialogues between Menander(Milinda) and buddhist monk Nagasena is a great historical work available today as well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milinda_Panha
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/milinda.pdf