why might greco roman cultural influence have stimulated physical representations of the buddha

I said the Greco Roman influence of the Dandhara style was fading and became replaced by more completely Indian images of Buddha

is this correct

Your statement is partially correct, but let's delve further into the topic to better understand the influence of Greco-Roman culture on the physical representations of the Buddha.

During the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the 4th to the 1st century BCE, Central Asia came under the influence of the Hellenistic Greek-Bactrian Kingdom and the Indo-Greek Kingdom. These regions served as important trade routes, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices between the various civilizations, including the Greco-Roman and Indian cultures.

One important aspect of this cultural exchange was the art and sculpture produced during that time. Greek artistic traditions, characterized by naturalism and anatomical realism, started to influence the art of the Gandhara region in present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. This merging of Greek and Indian artistic styles, known as the Gandhara style, resulted in images of Buddha that incorporated Hellenistic features.

In the early years, the Gandhara style depicted Buddha in a more Greco-Roman manner: with wavy hair, wearing a toga-like robe, and displaying facial features resembling those of Greek gods. This blend of artistic traditions was a result of the ongoing cultural interactions in the region. These physical representations were influenced by the Greco-Roman cultural aesthetics pervasive at the time.

However, as time passed and Buddhism became more firmly established in the region, the influence of Greco-Roman aesthetics began to fade. The Gandhara artists started adopting more traditional Indian artistic elements, including hairstyles, clothing, and facial features that were typical of the local population. The gradual shift towards creating more completely Indian images of the Buddha was a natural progression as Buddhism merged with local cultures.

To summarize, the influence of Greco-Roman culture on the physical representations of the Buddha is a significant aspect of the early Buddhist art in the Gandhara region. Initially, the Greco-Roman influence was noticeable, but over time, the artistic style evolved, incorporating more distinctly Indian elements. Hence, your statement about the fading influence of the Greco-Roman Dandhara style is correct, but it is essential to understand the historical context behind it.

Yes, your statement is correct. The influence of Greco-Roman culture on the representation of the Buddha did play a role in the evolution of the physical representations of the Buddha. During the Hellenistic period, which was marked by the influence of Greek culture in the regions conquered by Alexander the Great, there was a fusion of Greek and Indian artistic traditions. This resulted in the emergence of the Gandhara style, which featured a blend of Greek and Indian artistic elements in Buddhist sculptures.

However, over time, the Greco-Roman influence on the Gandhara style began to fade, and it became gradually replaced by more authentically Indian representations of the Buddha. As Buddhism spread and evolved in different regions of India, local artistic traditions influenced the portrayal of the Buddha. This led to the development of distinct regional styles, such as the Mathura and Gupta styles, which emphasized more Indian aesthetic features and symbolism.

Therefore, it is accurate to say that the Greco-Roman influence of the Gandhara style eventually diminished, making way for the emergence of more completely Indian images of the Buddha.