Indo-Sassanids

Examples of Indo-Sassanids in the following topics:

• Expansion and Decline of the Kushan Empire

  • The Kushans were one of five branches of the Yuezhi confederation, an Indo-European nomadic people.
  • They had diplomatic contacts with the Roman Empire, Sassanid Persia, Aksumite Empire, and Han China.
  • The western Kushans in Afghanistan were soon conquered by the Persian Sassanid Empire.
  • In 248 CE, they were defeated again by Persians, who deposed the western dynasty and replaced them with Persian vassals— cities or kingdoms that forfeited foreign policy independence, in exchange for full autonomy and, in some cases, formal tribute—known as the Indo-Sassanids, or Kushanshas.
  • The last of the Kushan and Sassanian kingdoms were eventually overwhelmed by the Hepthalites, another Indo-European people from the north.

• Zoroastrianism

  • The roots of Zoroastrianism are thought to have emerged from a common prehistoric Indo-Iranian religious system dating back to the early 2nd millennium BCE.
  • The Sassanids aggressively promoted the Zurvanite form of Zoroastrianism, often building fire temples in captured territories to promote the religion.
  • During the period of their centuries long suzerainty over the Caucasus, the Sassanids made attempts to promote Zoroastrianism there with considerable successes.

• The Indo-Aryan Migration and the Vedic Period

  • Scholars debate the origin of Indo-Aryan peoples in northern India.
  • Many have rejected the claim of Indo-Aryan origin outside of India entirely, claiming the Indo-Aryan people and languages originated in India.
  • These Indo-Aryans were a branch of the Indo-Iranians, who originated in present-day northern Afghanistan.
  • The Kurgan Hypothesis is the most widely accepted scenario of Indo-European origins.
  • The Indo-Aryans settled various parts of the plain during their migration and the Vedic Period.

• Decline of the Maurya Empire

  • The Sunga Dynasty usurped the Maurya Dynasty, and parts of the empire were incorporated into the Indo-Greek Kingdom.
  • His coins that have been discovered are the most numerous and widespread of all the Indo-Greek kings.
  • About 20 Indo-Greek kings are known during this period, including last known Indo-Greek ruler, Strato II, who ruled in the Punjab region until around 55 BCE.
  • Buddhism was favored in the Indo-Greek Kingdom.
  • He converted to Buddhism and expanded the Indo-Greek Kingdom.

• Sanskrit

  • Sanskrit is a standardized dialect of Old Indo-Aryan, originating as Vedic Sanskrit as early as 170001200 BCE.
  • Sanskrit traces its linguistic ancestry to Proto-Indo-Iranian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European languages, meaning that it can be traced historically back to the people who spoke Indo-Iranian, also called the Aryan languages, as well as the Indo-European languages, a family of several hundred related languages and dialects.
  • Today, an estimated 46% of humans speak some form of Indo-European language.
  • Sanskrit is a major feature of the academic linguistic field of Indo-European studies, which focuses on both extinct and current Indo-European languages, and can be studied in major universities around the world.
  • Sanskrit evolved from Proto-Indo-European languages and was used to write the Vedas, the Hindu religious texts compiled between 1500-500 BCE.

• The Caste System

  • A caste system developed among Indo-Aryans of the Vedic Period, splitting society into four major groups.
  • The caste system in India may have several origins, possibly starting with the well-defined social orders of the Indo-Aryans in the Vedic Period, c. 1750-500 BCE.
  • By around 1000 BCE, the Indo-Aryans developed four main caste distinctions: Brahamin, consisting of priests, scholars, and teachers; Kshatriyas, the kings, governors, and warriors; Vaishyas, comprising agriculturists, artisans, and merchants; and Sudras, the service providers and artisans who were originally non-Aryans but were admitted to Vedic society.

• The Rise of Hinduism

  • Hinduism evolved as a synthesis of cultures and traditions, including the Indo-Aryan Vedic religion.
  • However, Vedic ritualism, a composite of Indo-Aryan and Harappan culture, contributed to the deities and traditions of Hinduism.
  • The Indo-Aryan Vedas remain the oldest scriptures of the Hindu religion, which has grown culturally and geographically through modern times to become one of the world’s four major religions.
  • There are four Indo-Aryan Vedas: the Rig Veda contains hymns about mythology; the Sama Veda consists mainly of hymns about religious rituals; the Yajur Veda contains instructions for religious rituals; and the Atharva Veda consists of spells against enemies, sorcerers and diseases.

• The Vedas

  • The Indo-Aryan Vedas remain the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, which is considered one of the oldest religions in the world.
  • Vedic ritualism, a composite of ancient Indo-Aryan and Harappan culture, contributed to the deities and traditions of Hinduism over time.
  • There are four Indo-Aryan Vedas: the Rig Veda contains hymns about their mythology; the Sama Veda consists mainly of hymns about religious rituals; the Yajur Veda contains instructions for religious rituals; and the Atharva Veda consists of spells against enemies, sorcerers, and diseases.

• Crises of the Roman Empire

  • Many Roman legions had been defeated during a campaign against Germanic peoples raiding across the borders, while the emperor was focused primarily on the dangers from the Sassanid Persian Empire.
  • Provincials became victims of frequent raids along the length of the Rhine and Danube rivers by such foreign tribes as the Carpians, Goths, Vandals, and Alamanni, and attacks from Sassanids in the east.

• The Hittites

  • The Hittite language was a member of the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European language family.
  • In earlier times, Indo-European elements may still be clearly discerned.