The syncretism of cultural influences manifest in the representations of the Buddha in the art of ancient Gandhāra

More than two thousand years ago, ancient Gandhāra saw the encounter of the Hellenistic civilisation with Buddhism. The representations of the Buddha Śākyamuni from the beginnings of our era produced in the artistic style of Gandhāra are a result of a synthesis of above all the Greek, Roman and Indo-Buddhist culture. As evidenced by research, not only these cultures made an impact on this art because elements of many other influences also entwined themselves with Indian ones in this field. The representations of the Buddha from Gandhāra are silent witnesses of the then intensive contacts between civilisations concentrated on the Silk Road.