![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MmLOZwwDYAJJtg6OOg9pZHruf3NBjD4tZAsuVBatwgmZnL5m9Uk7b5piFG91mPajUPcVRLlMpf7-bgWSCaHp6hTA0LzC346qljpBorcVRMgV-9TnNf37AYg6MC9fVMik1zaBEgegA_jG/s280/IMG_0003.jpg)
Towards the later half of the first century, a greek sailor, living in Egypt, undertook avoyage to India along the coast of the Red sea and the Arabian sea , and recorded a minute account of his experiences in abook called The periplus of the Erythrean Sea . It is further proved by the Indian missions sent Roman emperors . The trade to Roman and other western countries was carried through the important port of Alexandria where goods carried by the sea upto the canals of the Nile through Mediterian coast which ran through Persia, and along the shores of the Caspian, to Syria and Asia minor.During Ashoka religious expeditions took place throughout Central asia, and S-E Asia. A map with the areas of expansion is given above.