Ashoka
An emperor is sickened by his own conquest and carves his remorse into rock.
- When
- —
- Duration
- 36 years
- Known to
- ± 5 years
- Era
- Classical, Holocene
Ashoka conquers Kalinga around 261 BCE with enormous slaughter, and by his own account is so appalled that he renounces war. He converts to Buddhism and inscribes edicts on pillars and rock faces across the subcontinent — in Prakrit, Greek and Aramaic — promoting non-violence, religious tolerance, medical care for people and animals, and kindness to servants. No other ancient ruler publicly records regret for a victory. His sponsorship sends Buddhism to Sri Lanka and Central Asia.