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136 CE

This year falls in the Classical antiquity (c. 500 BCE–500 CE). Large empires rule much of Eurasia, among them Persia, the Maurya and Gupta states of India, Han China and Rome. Classical Greece, the spread of Buddhism and the rise of Christianity belong to this era, which ends as the western Roman Empire falls in the fifth century CE.

Within fifteen years

Philosopher · Classical antiquity · IndiaNagarjunac. 150–c. 250Indian Buddhist thinker, founder of the Madhyamaka middle way school, who argued that all things are empty of inherent existence. His Mulamadhyamakakarika is the central text of Mahayana philosophy. He lived about 150 to 250.

Philosopher · Classical antiquity · ItalyMarcus Aurelius121–180Roman emperor from 161 to 180 who wrote the Meditations, a private notebook of Stoic exercises, in Greek on campaign along the Danube. He lived 121 to 180. The book was never meant for publication.