Consider the following rulers: Antiochus II Theos of Syria Ptolemy III...
Ashoka mentions various of his contemporaries in the Hellenic world with whom he exchanged missions, diplomatic and otherwise. A passage in one of his inscriptions dated 256–255 B.C. reads:
- “.... where reigns the Greek King named Amtiyoga and beyond the realm of that Amtiyoga in the lands of the four kings Tulamaya, Antckina, Maka, and Alikyashudala...”
- These have been identified as Antiochus II Theos of Syria (260-246 B.C.), the grandson of Selecus Nikator: Ptolemy III Philadelphus of Egypt (285–247 B.C.);
- Antigonus Gonatus of Macedonia (276–239 B.C.); Magas of Cyrene, and Alexander of Epirus.
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Consider the following rulers: Antiochus II Theos of Syria Ptolemy III...
To determine which of the given rulers were contemporary to the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, we need to examine the historical timeline of each ruler.
Antiochus II Theos of Syria:
Antiochus II Theos ruled the Seleucid Empire from 261 to 246 BCE. During this period, Ashoka was already the Mauryan emperor, having ascended the throne in 268 BCE. Therefore, Antiochus II Theos was contemporary to Ashoka.
Ptolemy III Philadelphus of Egypt:
Ptolemy III Philadelphus was a ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, reigning from 246 to 222 BCE. As his reign overlapped with that of Antiochus II Theos, who was contemporary to Ashoka, it can be concluded that Ptolemy III Philadelphus was also contemporary to Ashoka.
Antigonus Gonatus of Macedonia:
Antigonus Gonatus ruled Macedonia from 283 to 239 BCE. Ashoka became the Mauryan emperor in 268 BCE, while Antigonus Gonatus gained power in 283 BCE. Therefore, Antigonus Gonatus predates Ashoka and was not contemporary to him.
Based on the above analysis, it is clear that Antiochus II Theos of Syria, Ptolemy III Philadelphus of Egypt, and Antigonus Gonatus of Macedonia were all contemporary to the Mauryan emperor Ashoka. Hence, the correct answer is option 'C' - all three kings.