Greco-Buddhist Art
WHS that hold examples considered (and sometimes debated) to be Greco-Buddhist Art.
"Greco-Buddhism denotes a supposed cultural syncretism between Hellenistic culture and Buddhism developed between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD in Gandhara, in present-day Pakistan and parts of north-east Afghanistan.... While the Greco-Buddhist art shows clear Hellenistic influences, the majority of scholars do not assume a noticeable Greek influence on Gandharan Buddhism beyond the artistic realm." (wiki)
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Bamiyan Valley | "The statues represented a later evolution of the classic blended style of Greco-Buddhist art at Gandhara" (wiki) | |
| Mogao Caves | "While Cave 285 is a “dharma center,” presenting a Buddhist message, the manner of that presentation is multi-cultural and the work of the Sogdians. The cave is special precisely because it combines motifs from Central China, the Southern Dynasties, Central Asia, India, Persia and even the Hellenistic world." (see link) | |
| Sanchi | "Although the initial craftsmen for stone reliefs in Sanchi seem to have come from Gandhara, with the first reliefs being carved at Sanchi Stupa No.2 circa 115 BCE,[27] the art of Sanchi thereafter developed considerably in the 1st century BCE/CE and is thought to predate the blooming of the Greco-Buddhist art of Gandhara, which went on to flourish until around the 4th century CE. The art of Sanchi is thus considered as the ancestor of the didactic forms of Buddhist art that would follow, such as the art of Gandhara" ... "The presence of Greeks at or near Sanchi at the time is known (Indo-Greek ambassador Heliodorus at Vidisha c. 100 BCE, the Greek-like foreigners illustrated at Sanchi worshiping the Great Stupa, or the Greek "Yavana" devotees who had dedicatory inscriptions made at Sanchi[85]), but more precise details about exchanges or possible routes of transmission are elusive." | |
| Silk Roads Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor | Mogao Caves: "While Cave 285 is a “dharma center,” presenting a Buddhist message, the manner of that presentation is multi-cultural and the work of the Sogdians. The cave is special precisely because it combines motifs from Central China, the Southern Dynasties, Central Asia, India, Persia and even the Hellenistic world." (see link) | |
| Takht-i-Bahi | "Deities from the Greek mythological pantheon also tend to be incorporated in Buddhist representations, displaying a strong syncretism.", for example at the 3rd-century statue of the Buddhist gods Pancika and Hariti (now in British Museum) | |
| Taxila | "Buddhist stupas with strong Hellenistic decorative elements can be found throughout the Sirkap site (Stupa of the two eagles [1]), a Jain temple[2] and a Jain stupa, as well as a Hindu temple, indicating a close interaction of religious cultures. A Greek religious temple of the Ionic order is also visible at the nearby site of Jandial (650 meters (2,130 ft) from Sirkap), but there is a possibility that it may have been dedicated to a Zoroastrian cult." (wiki) |
Suggestions?
Do you know of another WHS we could connect to Greco-Buddhist Art?
A connection should:
- Not be "self evident"
- Link at least 3 different sites
- Not duplicate or merely subdivide the "Category" assignment already identified on this site.
- Add some knowledge or insight (whether significant or trivial!) about WHS for the users of this site
- Be explained, with reference to a source