Author - Virarajendra
Under Construction
The Graeco-Roman relations with the Tamil Kingdoms of South India of the first and second centuries
(1) The rise of the Greek Empire
Towards the latter part of the fourth century B.C. Greece situated in southern Europe rose to its glory with the emergence of its emperor Alexander the Great (334-323 B.C.). Under him the Greek empire spread its wings over a vast territory which encompassed within its limits the present Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Pakistan, and the north-west India up to the Punjab state.
(2) The origin of the names "Yavanas" and "Yonas" referring to Greeks
During this period the inhabitants of the province "Ionian" beyond Dumas mountain range in north-west Greece earned great fame outside their country which resulted in the Greeks in other provinces too being generally known as the "Ionias". 'Ionia' was known as "Yauna" among the Persians. "Yona" (or Yonaka) in Prakrit language and as "Yavana" in Sanskrit language among the Indians.
(3) The rise of the Roman Empire
Greek empire lost it's strength andsupremacy within its regions and was overshadowed by the powerful empire of the Romans, which expanded gradually from the days of Julius Caeser (55-44 B.C,) and reached its zenith under emperor Trajen (A.D.98-117). Tare presently covered his empire held sway over many kingdoms of that period whose territories are presently covered by Spain , Portugal, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, England, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and northern parts of Libiya and Algeria.
Italy the native country of the Romans being in close proximity to Greece across the seas and the Romans of this period having close cultural aracial affinities with the Greeks were also known as Yonas and Yavanas among the Indians.
(4) The Tamil Kingdoms of South India of this period
The Tamil territories of South India during this period remained divided into three main kingdoms known as Chera Nadu, Chola Nadu, and Paandiya Nadu (nadu - Country) and were ruled by Tamil Hindu kings.
Chera Nadu covered approximately the upper three quarter region of the present Kerala state, Paandiya Nadu encompassed the lower half of the present Tamil Nadu state and the lower quarter of the Kerala state, while Chola Nadu comprised the upper half of the Tamil Nadu state.
