Alexander the Great conquered Asia Minor and the Achaemenid Empire (326 BC)

When he reached the Northwest frontier of the Indian subcontinent, he defeated King Porus and conquered most of Punjab. Alexander and his army returned from India; the Greeks who stayed in Asia were married to local women. Alexander's powerful empire fell apart into several single states (Diadochi empires) after his death in 232 BC. A blending with the Asian culture happened- also with Buddhist influence (so called Graeco-Buddhism).