Zoroastrianism never gain hold in Persia ? it seems to me that Zoroastrians Persian Empire which stop spread of Dharmic religion West and create very different worldview with Monotheism, opposition with Evil, and rejection of reincarnation.

That might butterfly out Buddhism, though.
 
Is it possible in a POD around the time of the Roman Republic for Buddhism to somehow bypass Persia and reach the Mediterranean via traders or monks with a sudden urge to spread buddhism westward?
 
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