Chronology of European exploration of Asia

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Chronology of European exploration of Asia

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A historical survey detailing early European overland and maritime journeys into Asia.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

This is a chronology of the early European exploration of Asia. 515 BC: Scylax explores the Indus and the sea route across the Indian Ocean to Egypt. 330 BC: Alexander the Great conquers parts of Central Asia and parts of northwestern India. 300 BC: Seleucus Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Empire, forays into northwestern India but is defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire, and they become allies soon after. 250 – 120 BC: Greco-Bactrian states in parts of Central Asia and South Asia, including the Fergana Valley (Alexandria Eschate), Transoxiana (Alexandria on the Oxus) and Punjab (Alexandria on the Indus).

Career & Major Achievements

180 BC – 10 AD: The Indo-Greek Kingdom was located in areas now part of Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-west India. 30 BC – 640 AD: With the acquisition of Ptolemaic Egypt, the Romans begin trading with India. The Empire now has a direct connection to the Spice trade Egypt had established beginning in 118 BC. 41 – 54 AD: Roman Mediterranean tax collector Annius Plocamus, facilitated direct trade and first contact between Sri Lanka and the Roman Empire. The Romans already knew about Sri Lanka under the name of Taprobane, the Greek name for the island.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It is according to Pliny as said in Natural History that the two civilizations met after the landing of Plocamus. 100 – 166 AD: Romano-Chinese relations begin. Ptolemy writes of the Golden Chersonese (i.e. Malay Peninsula) and the trade port of Kattigara, now identified as Óc Eo in southern Vietnam. The Chinese historical texts describe Roman embassies, from a land they called Daqin. 2nd century: Roman traders reach Siam (Thailand), Cambodia, Sumatra, and Java on their way to China.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Chronology of European exploration of Asia

True or False: “The primary reason for the initial Roman interest in India was purely religious conversion efforts.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While cultural exchange occurred, the Romans' early interest in India was heavily driven by lucrative trade, particularly the Spice trade.

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