|
Mesopotamia
|
|
c. 4500-1900 BC
|
Ur, Uruk, Epic of Gilgamesh
|
Sumer
|
|
c. 2500-609 BC
|
Ashurbanipal, Nimrud, fierce warrior society
|
Assyria
|
|
c. 2334-2154 BC
|
Sargon, conquered the main neighbouring civilisation
|
Akkadian Empire
|
|
1895-539 BC
|
Nebuchadnezzar, Code of Hammurabi, home to two probably fictional buildings
|
Babylonia
|
|
c. 1500-1300 BC
|
Shaushtatar, Kikkuli
|
Mitanni
|
|
15-116 AD
|
Izates, Arbela
|
Adiabene
|
|
|
|
|
|
Armenian Highlands
|
|
c. 3400-2000 BC
|
Shengavit Settlement, farming, viticulture
|
Kura-Araxes
|
|
c. 1500-1290 BC
|
Mursili II, collapse of Hatti
|
Hayasa-Azzi
|
|
c. 1300s-1190 BC
|
Ubbumu
|
Shupria
|
|
1200s-164 BC
|
Heniochi, Aea, later became a region in various empires
|
Colchis
|
|
1114-860 BC
|
Little is known about them, contended with two neighbouring civilisations, later incorporated into another kingdom
|
Nairi
|
|
c. 1100-760 BC
|
King Asia, Zua
|
Diauehi
|
|
860-590 BC
|
Menua, Tushpa, Tushpuea
|
Kingdom of Urartu
|
|
331 BC to 428 AD
|
Tigranes, Yervandashat, also the name of a modern country
|
Kingdom of Armenia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indian subcontinent
|
|
c. 3300-1300 BC
|
Mohenjo-daro, Dancing Girl statue, sophisticate sewerage system
|
Indus Valley Civilisation
|
|
c. 1200-525 BC
|
Assandh, srauta ritual, first coins in India
|
Kuru
|
|
c. 900 BC to c. 400 AD
|
Keśin Dālbhya, Ahichatra, possibly a fusion of five tribes
|
Panchala
|
|
c. 600-345 BC
|
Collection of sixteen kingdoms, Gandhara, Vedas
|
Mahajanapadas
|
|
?-500 BC
|
Janaka, Mithila, Yajnavalkya
|
Kingdom of the Videhas
|
|
450 BC to 489 AD
|
Raja Dhaj, Sukkur
|
Ror dynasty
|
|
323-184 BC
|
Chandragupta, Ashoka, Pataliputra
|
Maurya Empire
|
|
300s BC to 1279 AD
|
Rajendra II, Thanjavur, Brihadisvara Temple
|
Chola dynasty
|
|
c. 200s BC to 1400 AD
|
Kadungon, Madurai, Meenakshi Temple
|
Pandya dynasty
|
|
185-75 BC
|
Devabhuti, Pataliputra, Heliodorus pillar
|
Shunga Empire
|
|
150-50 BC
|
Brahma_____, Mathura, Yavanarajya inscription
|
Mitra dynasty
|
|
100s BC to 200s AD
|
Gautamiputra Satakarni, Sanchi, Karla Caves
|
Satavahana dynasty
|
|
c. 100s BC to 1100s AD
|
Senguttuvan, Vanchi Karuvur, Vazhappally copper plate
|
Chera dynasty
|
|
75-30 BC
|
Vasudeva, Pataliputra
|
Kanva dynasty
|
|
1st Century BC to 200s AD
|
Banavasi
|
Chutu dynasty
|
|
1st Century BC to 400s AD
|
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
|
Mahameghavahana dynasty
|
|
19-225 AD
|
Gondophares, Kabul, helped spread of Buddhism
|
Indo-Parthian Kingdom
|
|
30-375 AD
|
Kipunada, Peshawar, Lokakṣema
|
Kushan Empire
|
|
35-405 AD
|
Chashtana, Ujjain, Great Chaitya
|
Western Satraps
|
|
200s-300s AD
|
Chamtamula, Vijayapuri, Nagarjunakonda
|
Andhra Ikshvaku
|
|
200s-300s AD
|
Bharashiva, Vidisha
|
Nagas of Padmavati
|
|
200s-500s AD
|
Velvikudi grant
|
Kalabhra dynasty
|
|
200s-543 AD
|
Chandra_____, Pataliputra, Mahabodhi Temple
|
Gupta Empire
|
|
275-897 AD
|
Simhavishnu, Kanchipuram, Shore Temple
|
Pallava Empire
|
|
300s-400s AD
|
Shankara-varman, Shakti-varman
|
Mathara dynasty
|
|
350-1140 AD
|
Pushyavarman, Pragjyotishpura
|
Kamarupa
|
|
c. 400-750 AD
|
Amshuverma, Kathmandu Valley
|
Licchavi
|
|
493-776 AD
|
Bhatarka, Vallabhi, Gop Temple
|
Maitraka dynasty
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arabia
|
|
c. 3000s-538 BC
|
Inzak, Sar
|
Dilmun
|
|
1200 BC to 275 AD
|
Ilasaros, Sirwah
|
Kingdom of Saba'
|
|
110 BC to 525 AD
|
Abu Karib, Sana'a
|
Himyarite Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iranian
|
|
2700-539 BC
|
Ebarti, Susa, early writing
|
Elam
|
|
678-549 BC
|
Astyages, Ecbatana, pre-Zoroastrian religion
|
Median Empire
|
|
550-330 BC
|
Cyrus, Xerxes, Persepolis
|
Achaemenid Empire
|
|
500s BC to 1000s AD
|
Samarkand
|
Sogdia
|
|
c. 323 BC to 200s AD
|
Darius I, Ganzak
|
Atropatene
|
|
224-651 AD
|
Shapur, Mani, Ctesiphon
|
Sasanian Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canaan
|
|
2500-539 BC
|
Hiram, Tyre, thalassocratic
|
Phoenicia
|
|
1200s-400 BC
|
Dibon, Mesha Stele
|
Moab
|
|
1200s-125 BC
|
Bozrah
|
Edom
|
|
c. 1047-930 BC
|
Saul, Jerusalem, Yahwism
|
Kingdom of Israel
|
|
930-720 BC
|
Pekah, Shechem
|
Kingdom of Samaria
|
|
900s-248 BC
|
Hanun, Rabbath _____, Milkomite
|
Ammon
|
|
270-273 AD
|
Zenobia, Vaballathus
|
Palmyrene Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Asia
|
|
c. 2400–1900 BC
|
Gonur Depe, named after two regions or a river (depending on name)
|
Oxus civilisation
|
|
c. 2000s BC
|
Shahr-e Sukhteh, Mundigak
|
Helmand civilisation
|
|
c. 300 BC to 1006 AD
|
Viśa' Saṃbhava, Yotkan, major centre of Buddhism
|
Kingdom of Khotan
|
|
c. 200 BC to 790 AD
|
Douti, Kashgar
|
Shule Kingdom
|
|
1st Century BC to 400s AD
|
Vanvan, Kangu, Bitian
|
Kangju
|
|
c. 370-469 AD
|
Attila, Bleda, nomadic
|
Hunnic Empire
|
|
440s-710 AD
|
Khingila I, Balkh, nomadic
|
Hephthalites
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinese dynasties, states and kingdoms
|
|
c. 2070-1600 BC
|
Yu, Yangcheng
|
Xia
|
|
c. 1600-1046 BC
|
Di Xin, Yinxu, oracle bones
|
Shang
|
|
c. 1510-1460 BC
|
Bronze vessels
|
Erligang
|
|
c. 1046-249 BC
|
Wu, Fenghao, Mandate of Heaven
|
Zhou
|
|
c. 1030-223 BC
|
Xiang Yu, Shouchun, bronze vessels
|
Chu
|
|
c. 1000s-600s BC
|
Jicheng, modern Beijing
|
Ji
|
|
1000s-222 BC
|
Qin Kai, Ji, knife money
|
Yan
|
|
334-111 BC
|
Wuzhu, Dongye, snake totemism
|
Minyue
|
|
?-306 BC
|
Goujian, Kuaiji, Xi Shi
|
Yue
|
|
221-206 BC
|
___ Shi Huang, Xianyang, Dujiangyan
|
Qin
|
|
206 BC to 220 AD
|
Gaozu, Chang'an, Zhang Heng's seismometer
|
Han
|
|
220-266 AD
|
Cao Pi, Xuchang, kaishu
|
Wei
|
|
221-263 AD
|
Liu Bei, Chengdu
|
Shu Han
|
|
222-280 AD
|
Sun Quan, Zhu Ran, Wuchang
|
Wu
|
|
266-420 AD
|
Yuan, Luoyang, high-quality porcelain
|
Jin
|
|
386-535 AD
|
Xiaowen, Shengle, Shaolin Monastery
|
Northern Wei
|
|
420-479 AD
|
Wen, Jiankang, Zu Chongzhi
|
Liu Song
|
|
479-502 AD
|
Gao, Jiankang
|
Southern Qi
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anatolia
|
|
c. 1600-1178 BC
|
Muwatalli II, Hattusa, chariots
|
Hittites
|
|
c. 1200-700 BC
|
Midas/Mita, Gordium
|
Phrygia
|
|
1200-546 BC
|
Croesus, Sardis, world's first coins
|
Lydia
|
|
286-1461 AD
|
Justinian, Constantinople, Eastern Orthodoxy
|
Byzantine Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arab
|
|
700s BC to 100s AD
|
Yatie, nomadic
|
Qedarites
|
|
552-353 BC
|
Dhu-Ghabat, giant statues
|
Lihyan
|
|
200s BC to 106 AD
|
Obodas I, Petra
|
Nabataean Kingdom
|
|
132 BC to 214 AD
|
Edessa, Aramean population with Arab rulers
|
Osroene
|
|
100s BC to 525 AD
|
Imru' al-Qais Junduh bin Hujr al-Kindi, Qaryat al-Faw
|
Kindah
|
|
1st Century to 100s AD
|
Was besieged by two different empires
|
Araba
|
|
220-638 AD
|
Al-Harith ibn Jabalah, Jabiyah
|
Ghassanids
|
|
c. 300-602 AD
|
Imru al-Qays ibn Amr, al-Hirah
|
Lakhmids
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eurasian Steppe
|
|
600s-200s BC
|
Ateas, nomadic warrior culture, gold sculpture
|
Scythians
|
|
400s BC to 300s AD
|
Banadaspus, nomadic
|
Sarmatians
|
|
439-744 AD
|
Bumin Qaghan, Kul Tigin
|
Göktürks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
|
543-437 BC
|
Vijaya, Upatissagāma
|
Kingdom of Tambapaṇṇī
|
|
377 BC to 1017 AD
|
Manavanna, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Sigiriya
|
Anuradhapura Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tibet
|
|
c. 500 BC to 625 AD
|
Kyunglung, Bon religion, later conquered by the Tibetan Empire
|
Zhangzhung
|
|
|
|
|
|
Japan (period in its history)
|
|
300 BC to 300 AD
|
Yoshinogari, dōtaku, Wo
|
Yayoi
|
|
c. 250-538 AD
|
Keyhole-shaped tombs, Haniwa
|
Kofun
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indochina
|
|
257-179 BC
|
An Dương Vương, Cổ Loa Citadel
|
Âu Lạc
|
|
204-111 BC
|
Zhao Mo, Panyu, Chinese rulers
|
Nanyue
|
|
50-550 AD
|
Vyadhapura, Óc Eo, Sanskrit as language of the court
|
Funan
|
|
192-1832 AD
|
Indrapura, Po Nagar, Mỹ Sơn
|
Champa
|
|
450-1388 AD
|
Phraya Kalavarnadit, Ayutthaya
|
Lavo Kingdom
|
|
|
Mongolia
|
|
209 BC to 93 AD
|
Modu, nomadic, had a war with the Chinese dynasty at the time
|
Xiongnu
|
|
93-234 AD
|
Tanshihuai, had their capital near the Orkhon River, nomadic
|
Xianbei state
|
|
330-555 AD
|
Yujiulü Dengshuzi, Mumo city, first people to use the title "khan"
|
Rouran Khaganate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Korea
|
|
?-108 BC
|
Jun, Wanggeom, Mumun pottery
|
Gojoseon
|
|
100s BC to 494 AD
|
Hae Buru, Hae Mo-su
|
Buyeo
|
|
57 BC to 935 AD
|
Gyeongsun, Gyeongju, Seokguram
|
Silla
|
|
37 BC to 668 AD
|
Dongmyeong, Gungnae, highly militaristic
|
Goguryeo
|
|
18 BC to 660 AD
|
Seong, Wirye, Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner
|
Baekje
|
|
1st Century BC to 4th Century AD
|
Collection of three confederacies, Byeohan, Jinhan and Mahan
|
Samhan
|
|
42-562 AD
|
Suro, Bihwa ____, ironwork
|
Gaya
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malay Peninsula
|
|
100 BC to 600s AD
|
Chu-dan, Sing-ha
|
Chi Tu
|
|
100s-1026 AD
|
Beruas, conquered by an Indian empire
|
Gangga Negara
|
|
100s-1400s AD
|
Merong Mahawangsa, possibly near modern Yarang
|
Langkasuka
|
|
400s-800s AD
|
Important trading centre, located close to the Straits of Malacca
|
Kedah
|
|
400s-1454 AD
|
Sri Bhadravarman, Inderapura, gold trade
|
Old Pahang Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indonesia
|
|
130-362 AD
|
Dewawarman
|
Salakanagara
|
|
350-1605 AD
|
Mulavarman, modern East Kalimantan
|
Kutai
|
|
358-669 AD
|
Purnawarman, Sundapura
|
Tarumanagara
|
|
|
|
|
|
South America
|
|
c. 3500-1800 BC
|
Aspero, circular plazas, early pyramids
|
Norte Chico civilisation
|
|
900-200 BC
|
______ de Huantar, Lanzón
|
Chavín
|
|
100-700 AD
|
Huaca del Sol, portrait vessels, tapestries
|
Moche
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mesoamerica
|
|
c. 2000 BC to 1697 AD
|
K'inich Janaab Pakal, Tikal, sophisticated script
|
Maya
|
|
1500-400 BC
|
San Lorenzo, heads, jaguar worship
|
Olmecs
|
|
c. 700 BC to 1521 AD
|
Cosijoeza, Monte Albán, Cocijo
|
Zapotec
|
|
200 BC to 750 AD
|
Pyramid of the Sun, Avenue of the Dead, Palace of Quetzalpapálotl
|
Teotihuacan
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Africa
|
|
c. 3150-332 BC
|
Ramesses, Memphis, pyramids
|
Ancient Egypt
|
|
c. 2500-1500 BC
|
Large tumulus
|
Kerma Kingdom
|
|
814-146 BC
|
Hannibal, Punic Wars, maritime power
|
Carthage
|
|
c. 785 BC to c.350 BC
|
Shoshenq I, Meroë, pyramids
|
Kingdom of Kush
|
|
600 BC to 200s AD
|
Faras, Ballana, Isis (goddess) cult
|
Blemmyes
|
|
500 BC to 700 AD
|
Germa, mentioned by Herodotus
|
Garamantes
|
|
202-40 BC
|
Juba I, Cirta, El-Khroub
|
Numidia
|
|
c. 200 BC to 44 AD
|
Bocchus I, Volubilis, also very similar to the name of a modern country
|
Mauretania
|
|
c. 400-600s AD
|
Pachoras, archery
|
Nobatia
|
|
400s-1500s AD
|
Zacharias III, Dongola, murals
|
Makuria
|
|
435-534 AD
|
Thrasamund, Hippo Regius, also covered Sicily and some other European islands
|
Vandal Kingdom
|
|
|
|
|
|
East Africa
|
|
2400-1069 BC
|
Perahu, unknown location, traded with a North African civilisation
|
Land of Punt
|
|
c. 980-400 BC
|
Wʿrn Ḥywt, Yeha
|
D'mt
|
|
c. 100-960 AD
|
Endubis, King Ezana's Stela, adopted Christianity
|
Kingdom of Aksum
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Africa
|
|
500s BC to 1500s AD
|
Chari River basin, terracotta statues, skilled metalworkers
|
Sao civilisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Africa
|
|
c. 300-1100 AD
|
Kaya Magan Cissé, Koumbi Saleh
|
Ghana Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greece and the Aegean
|
|
c. 2700-1100 BC
|
Knossos, seafaring, bulls
|
Minoans
|
|
c. 1600-1100 BC
|
Agamemnon, Messene, palaces
|
Mycenaeans
|
|
808-168 BC
|
Philip II, Alexander, Pella
|
Macedonia
|
|
330-167 BC
|
Pyrrhus, Aeacides
|
Epirus
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greek city-states
|
|
900s-192 BC
|
Leonidas, warrior culture, phalanx
|
Sparta
|
|
c. 734-214 BC
|
Archimedes, Fountain of Arethusa, in Sicily
|
Syracuse
|
|
c. 700s-400s BC
|
Smilis, maritime power
|
Aegina
|
|
700s-343 BC
|
Achaeus, Philoxenus
|
Eretria
|
|
c. 700-338 BC
|
Aristides, Sacred Band
|
Thebes
|
|
700-146 BC
|
Diogenes, Lechaeum, classical order named after it
|
Corinth
|
|
600s-417 BC
|
Pheidon, Polykleitos, Heraion
|
Argos
|
|
508-322 BC
|
Plato, Parthenon, democracy
|
Athens
|
|
c. 500s-146 BC
|
Pyrrho, Coroebus, Olympia
|
Elis
|
|
408-357 BC
|
Diagoras, Colossus
|
Rhodes
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy
|
|
900-27 BC
|
Lars Porsena, Veii, Chimera of Arezzo
|
Etruscans
|
|
753 BC to 476 AD
|
Augustus, Pantheon, centurion
|
Romans
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe (other)
|
|
c. 600-122 BC
|
Tutomotulus, Ligurian
|
Salyes
|
|
c. 500-15 BC
|
Camunni, Alpine
|
Rhaetians
|
|
c. 200s-57 BC
|
Bellovaci, northern Gaul
|
Belgae
|
|
260-274 AD
|
Marius, Postumus, Colonia Agrippina
|
Gallic Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thrace
|
|
480 BC to 46 AD
|
Sitalces, Teres I
|
Odrysian kingdom
|
|
?-230 BC
|
Patraus, Audoleon
|
Paeonia
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celts
|
|
c. 400s BC to 383 AD
|
Caratacus, chariots
|
Silures
|
|
100 BC to 180 AD
|
Maroboduus, Fritigil
|
Marcomanni
|
|
c. 54 BC to 300s AD
|
Caratacus, Verulamium
|
Catuvellauni
|
|
1st Century BC to 100s AD
|
Divico, Vindonissa
|
Helvetii
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germanic
|
|
c. 100 BC to 300 AD
|
Harii, Manimi, Helisii
|
Lugii
|
|
c. 213-496 AD
|
Chrocus, Battle of Mediolanum
|
Alemanni
|
|
400s-500s AD
|
Ardaric, Cunimund, Sirmium
|
Gepidia
|
|
400s-532 AD
|
Bisinus, later became a German state
|
Thuringii
|
|
409-585 AD
|
Hermeric, Braga
|
Kingdom of the Suebi
|
|
410-721 AD
|
Theodoric, Toulouse, Hermitage of Santa María de Lara
|
Visigothic Kingdom
|
|
411-534 AD
|
Gunther, Lugdunum Segusianorum
|
Kingdom of the Burgundians
|
|
467-487 AD
|
Flaccitheus, Vindobona
|
Rugiland
|
|
481-843 AD
|
Clovis, Charlemagne, Aachen,
|
Frankish Empire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scotland
|
|
c. 83-230 AD
|
Hillforts, ancient name for Scotland
|
Caledonians
|
|
c. 297-900 AD
|
Áed mac Cináeda, Circinn, crannogs
|
Picts
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ireland
|
|
100s-1600s AD
|
Lugaid Mac Con, Munster
|
Corcu Loígde
|
|
150-1541 AD
|
Óengus Osrithe, Kilkenny
|
Osraige
|
|
300s-1200s AD
|
Fiachu Fidgenid, Brugh Ríogh
|
Uí Fidgenti
|
|
300s-1220 AD
|
Eochu Liathán, Castlelyons
|
Uí Liatháin
|
|
300s-1543 AD
|
Fergus mac Áedáin, Rathfriland
|
Iveagh
|
|
300s-1611 AD
|
Fiachra Finn, Connacht
|
Uí Maine
|
|
331-1585 AD
|
Colla Uais, Armagh
|
Airgíalla
|
|
400s-800s AD
|
Coirpre Luachra mac Cuirc, Eóganachta
|
Iarmuman
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400s-1607 AD
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Hugh Roe O'Donnell, Donegal Castle
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Tyrconnell
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c. 450-1177 AD
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Forga mac Dallán, Mag Bile
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Ulaid
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Hellenistic states
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c. 438 BC to c. 370 AD
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Leukon I, Panticapaeum, became the longest surviving client kingdom of a famous empire
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Bosporan Kingdom
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320s BC to 17 AD
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Ariarathes I, syncretic religion
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Kingdom of Cappadocia
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312-63 BC
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Antiochus, huge territory, cultural melting pot
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Seleucid Empire
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305-30 BC
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Cleopatra, Alexandria, Serapis
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Ptolemaic Kingdom
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297-74 BC
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Prusias, Nicomedia, Antinous
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Bithynia
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282-133 BC
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Sosus, Epigonus, had a famous altar
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Pergamon
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281 BC to 62 AD
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Mithridates, Sinope, syncretic religion
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Kingdom of Pontus
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256-125 BC
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Euthydemus, city now known as Balkh, influenced Indian art
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Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
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180 BC to 10 AD
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Strato, Taxila, influenced Indian art
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Indo-Greek Kingdom
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