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Hinduism In The Mauryan Empire

Decent Essays

Throughout history the rise and fall of empires and religions are synonymous, in the fact that they influence each other. No matter the religion or the empire, when an empire aligns with a religion it opens up avenues for which the empire and the religion can expand. Though this relationship seems ideal it also has the same inverse qualities. This relationship is expressed explicitly in many of the major world religions during the pre-modern era. Of the many religions that exemplify this relationship, Hinduism in the Mauryan Empire shows how religion can fortify an empire, and how the empire can expand the religion. The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta and was formed after Macedonian invasion. At the center of the empire was their religion Hinduism. With Hinduism having the concept of Dharma, people were less likely to revolt. Hinduism gave the Mauryan Empire a backbone for which their people wouldn’t question. Having this support from Hinduism, the Mauryan Empire would expand and consume the surrounding civilizations, which would garner more followers of Hinduism. …show more content…

The Byzantine Empire was a part of the Roman Empire and when Constantine decreed that Christianity would be the official religion of the Roman Empire, both sides benefited. Christianity would reach districts across the Silk Road and convert many peoples. The Byzantine Empire benefited by having a means to prevent conflicts with other Christian regions. Though they both promoted each other, when the Ottoman’s took Constantinople the Byzantine Empire lost access to Asia. Due to this dramatic blow, the Byzantine Empire wouldn’t be able to expand and in turn wouldn’t be able to promote Christianity. This shows how while the Byzantine Empire declined, Christianity also hit a period of

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