Geography of Early Buddhism c12.7

c12.7

Asoka maintained friendly relations not only with Ceylon and the Tamil powers of the South but also with kings of countries outside India. They were Antiochus Theos, King of Syria and Western India (Amtiyako Yonarājā), and even with the kings and neighbours to the north of the kingdom of Antiochus where dwelt four kings named severally Ptolemy (Turamayo), Antigonos (Amtikini), Magas (Maga or Maka), and Alexander (Alikasudara). Ptolemy Philadelphos was King of Egypt, Magas was King of Cyrene in North Africa, Antigonos Gonatas was King of Macedonia, and Alexander was King of Epirus (Rock Edict XIII). Some think (J.R.A.S., 1914, pp. 943 ff.) that Alikasudara of the Rock Edict XIII is Alexander of Corinth, son of Craterus and not Alexander of Epirus.