Bactria

Bactria (Bactriana) was the ancient Greek name of the country between the range of the Hindu Kush (Caucasus Indicus) and the Amu Darya (Oxus); its capital, Bactra (now Balkh), was located in what is now northern Afghanistan, southern Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Bactria was bounded on the east by the ancient region of Gandhara in the Indian subcontinent. The Bactrian language is an Iranian language of the Indo-Ir ...

Including:

• Bactria - Geography
• Bactria - History
• Bactria - Cyrus and Alexander
• Bactria - Seleucid Empire
• Bactria - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
• Bactria - Indo-Greek Kingdom
• Bactria - Contacts with China
• Bactria - Tokharistan
• Bactria - Archaeological sites

Read more here: » Bactria: Encyclopedia - Bactria

Bactria was originally a province of the Persian Empire in Central Asia.(Cotterell, 59) It was in these regions, where the fertile soil of the mountainous country is surrounded by the Turanian desert, that the prophet Zoroaster preached and gained his first adherents. The sacred language in which the Avesta, the holy book of Zoroastrianism, is written, was once called "old Bactrian". Ba ...

See also:

Bactria, Bactria - Geography, Bactria - History, Bactria - Cyrus and Alexander, Bactria - Seleucid Empire, Bactria - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, Bactria - Indo-Greek Kingdom, Bactria - Contacts with China, Bactria - Tokharistan, Bactria - Archaeological sites

Read more here: » Bactria: Encyclopedia II - Bactria - History

The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Throughout this period, the religion evolved as it encountered various countries and cultures, adding to its original Indian foundation Hellenistic as well as Central Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cultural elements. In the process, its geographical extent became considerable so as to affect at one time or another most of the Asian continent. The history of Buddhism is also characterized by the development of numerous movements and schisms, foremost among them the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, punctuated by contrasting periods of expansion and retreat.

Read more here: » Buddhism: History of Buddhism

Zoroaster, Zarathustra, Zarathushtra (Avestan) Zaradusht, Zartosht (Persian) [from Avestan zarat yellow or old cf Sanskrit jarat old + ushtra he who bears light, the intellect in the act of cognition from the verbal root ujsh light]

He who bears the ancient light; the great teacher and lawgiver of ancient Persia in the Avesta, founder of the Mazdean religion, preserved by the modern Parsis.

"Founder of the religion variously called Mazdaism, Magism, Parseeism, Fire-Worship, and Zoroastrianism. The age of the last Zoroaster (for it is a generic name) is not known, and perhaps for that very reason. Zanthus of Lydia, the earliest Greek writer who mentions this great lawgiver and religious reformer, places him about six hundred years before the Trojan War. But where is the historian who can now tell when the latter took place? Aristotle and also Eudoxus assign him a date of no less than 6,000 years before the days of Plato, and Aristotle was not one to make a statement without a good reason for it. Berosus makes him a king of Babylon some 2,200 years B.C.; but then, how can one tell what were the original figures of Berosus, before his MSS. passed through the hands of Eusebius, whose fingers were so deft at altering figures, whether in Egyptian synchronistic tables or in Chaldean chronology? Haug refers Zoroaster to at least 1,000 years B.C.; and Bunsen . . . finds that Zarathustra Spitama lived under the King Vistaspa about 3,000 years B.C., and describes him as 'one of the mightiest intellects and one of the greatest men of all time. . . . the Occult records claim to have the correct dates of each of the thirteen Zoroasters mentioned in the Dabistan. Their doctrines, and especially those of the last (divine) Zoroaster, spread from Bactria to the Medes; thence, under the name of Magism, incorporated by the Adept-Astronomers in Chaldea, they greatly influenced the mystic teachings of the Mosaic doctrines, even before, perhaps, they had culminated into what is now known as the modern religion of the Parsis. Like Manu and Vyasa in India, Zarathustra is a generic name for great reformers and law-givers. The hierarchy began with the divine Zarathustra in the Vendidad, and ended with the great, but mortal man, bearing that title, and now lost to history. . . . the last Zoroaster was the founder of the Fire-temple of Azareksh, many ages before the historical era. Had not Alexander destroyed so many sacred and precious works of the Mazdeans, truth and philosophy would have been more inclined to agree with history, in bestowing upon that Greek Vandal the title of 'the Great' " (TG 384-5).

Zoroaster, the son of Pourushaspa, is said to be the same as Br Abrahm (Abraham) who brought down the holy fire which had no smoke and could not injure because it had no burnable substance. He divided this fire into ten parts and placed each in a different location.

Also, the first created, the abstract light, active mind.

(See also: Zoroaster , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Zohak (Pahlavi) The Pahlavi translation of the Avesta personifies the serpent Azhi Dahaka into the Evil One, dwelling in Bawru (Babylonia). Zohak is represented as a man with two snakes' heads growing from his shoulders where he was kissed by Ahriman; "the human head denotes the physical man, and the two serpent heads the dual manasic principles -- the dragon and serpent both standing as symbols of wisdom and occult powers" (TG 333). He usurps the throne of King Jemshid (Yima), and after ruling a thousand years he is vanquished by Prince Feridun (Thraetaona). But Zohak could not be slain; he was bound to Mount Davand, there to lie in bonds till the end of the world, when he shall be let loose and then be slain by Keresaspa.

In the Shah-namah of Firdusi, the figures in this myth become historical characters: "It is apparent, therefore, that by Zohak is meant the Assyrian dynasty, whose symbol was the purpureum signum draconis -- the purple sign of the dragon. From a very remote antiquity (Genesis 14) this dynasty ruled Asia, Armenia, Syria, Arabia, Babylonia, Media, Persia, Bactria, and Afghanistan. It was finally overthrown by Cyrus and Darius Hystaspes, after '1,000 years' rule. . . . Zohak probably imposed the Assyrian or Magian worship of fire upon the Persians" (IU 2:486).

(See also: Zohak , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Buddhist art originated in the Indian subcontinent in the centuries following the life of the historical Gautama Buddha in the 6th to 5th century BCE, before evolving through its contact with other cultures and its diffusion through the rest of Asia and the world. A first, essentially Indian, aniconic phase (avoiding direct representations of the Buddha), was followed from around the 1st century CE by an iconic phase (with direct representations of the Buddha). From that time, Buddhist art diversified and evolved ...

Including:

• Buddhist art - Aniconic phase 5th century - 1st century BCE
• Buddhist art - Iconic phase 1st century CE – present
• Buddhist art - Northern Buddhist art
• Buddhist art - Central Asia
• Buddhist art - China
• Buddhist art - Korea
• Buddhist art - Japan
• Buddhist art - Tibet and Bhutan
• Buddhist art - Vietnam
• Buddhist art - Southern Buddhist art
• Buddhist art - Burma
• Buddhist art - Cambodia
• Buddhist art - Thailand
• Buddhist art - Indonesia

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The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). Persia's earliest known kingdom was the proto-Elamite Empire, followed by the Medes; but it is the Achaemenid Empire that emerged under Cyrus the Great that is usually the earliest to be called "Persian." Successive states in Iran before 1935 are collectively called the Persian Empire by Western historians. Persian Empire - The name Persia. Persia has long ...

Including:

• Persian Empire - The name Persia
• Persian Empire - The rise and fall of empires in Persia
• Persian Empire - The first Persian state: Achaemenid Persia 648 BC-330 BC
• Persian Empire - Hellenistic Persia 330 BC-150 BC
• Persian Empire - Parthian Persia 150 BC-AD 226
• Persian Empire - Sassanid Persia AD 226-650
• Persian Empire - Islam and Persia 650-1219
• Persian Empire - Persia under the Turkic rule 1037-1219
• Persian Empire - Persia under the Mongols and their successors 1219-1500
• Persian Empire - A new Persian empire: the Safavids 1500-1722
• Persian Empire - Persia and Europe 1722-1914
• Persian Empire - Persia in World War One 1914-1918
• Persian Empire - Persia after World War One 1919-1935
• Persian Empire - List of Kings and Emperors of Persia

Read more here: » Persian Empire: Encyclopedia - Persian Empire

The Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (or BMAC, also known as the Oxus civilization) the modern archaeological designation for a Bronze Age culture of Central Asia, dated to ca. 2200–1700 BC, located in present day Turkmenistan, northern Afghanistan, southern Uzbekistan and western Tajikistan, centered on the upper Amu Darya (Oxus). Its sites were discovered and named by Victor Sarianidi (1976). Bactria was the Greek name for the area of Bactra (modern Balkh), in what is now northern Afghanistan, an ...

Including:

• Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex - Overview
• Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex - A previously unknown civilization?
• Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex - The Indo-Iranian hypothesis
• Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex - Notes:

Read more here: » Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex: Encyclopedia - Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex

The term Ancient Near East or Ancient Orient encompasses the early civilizations predating Classical Antiquity in the region roughly corresponding to that described by the modern term Middle East (Egypt, the Fertile Crescent, Anatolia), during the time roughly spanning the Bronze Age from the rise of Sumer and Gerzeh in the 4th millennium BC to the expansion of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC. As such, it is a term widely employed in the fields of N ...

Including:

• Ancient Near East - 5th millennium BC
• Ancient Near East - 4th millennium BC
• Ancient Near East - 3rd millennium BC
• Ancient Near East - 2nd millennium BC

Read more here: » Ancient Near East: Encyclopedia - Ancient Near East

Aryan invasion theory, often abbreviated to AIT, is a term used to refer to the theory developed by 19th Century European linguists to explain the similarity between Sanskrit and European languages, supposing the invasion or migration of peoples who originated outside of India. The term is now most used by Indian opponents of the theory, or to label obsolete forms of the theory. The term "Aryan" derives from the word arya, used in the Vedas in a sense of "nobility", and as an ethnic term in Iran. The phrase "Aryan ...

Including:

• Aryan invasion theory - Origin of the theory
• Aryan invasion theory - Racial aspects of the theory
• Aryan invasion theory - Role in Imperialism and Nazism
• Aryan invasion theory - Later developments
• Aryan invasion theory - Political and religious issues
• Aryan invasion theory - Modern Theory
• Aryan invasion theory - Literature

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Antiochus III the Great, (c. 241–187 BC, ruled 223–187 BC), younger son of Seleucus II Callinicus, became ruler of the Seleucid Empire as a youth of about eighteen in 223 BC. His traditional designation, the Great, stems from a misunderstanding of Megas Basileus (Great king), the traditional title of the Persian kings, which he adopted. Antiochus III the Great - Early years. Antiochus III inherited a disorganized state. Not only had Asia Minor become detached, but the further easte ...

Including:

• Antiochus III the Great - Early years
• Antiochus III the Great - Wars against Diadoches
• Antiochus III the Great - War against Rome

Read more here: » Antiochus III the Great: Encyclopedia - Antiochus III the Great

Antiochus II Theos (286–246 BC), was an emperor of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire who reigned 261–246 BC). He succeeded his father Antiochus I Soter in 261 BC. He was the son of Antiochus I and princess Stratonice, the daughter of Demetrius Poliorcetes He inherited a state of war with Egypt, which was fought along the coasts of Asia Minor (the "Second Syrian War"). Antiochus also made some attempt to get a footing in Thrace. During the war he was given the title "Theos" which means "God" in Greek, bei ...

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Arachosia is the ancient name of an area that corresponds to the southern part of today 's Afghanistan, around the city of Kandahar. It is directly to the south of Bactria, but is separated from it by the Hindu Kush. The main inhabitants of Arachosia were Pactyans, an ancient Iranian tribe. They were probably the ancestors of today's Pashtuns. Arachosia - Etymology. Arachosia is derived from Arachotos, a hellenized form of Harachuwati, the Achaemenid Persian name for the ...

Including:

• Arachosia - Etymology

Read more here: » Arachosia: Encyclopedia - Arachosia

The Arsacid Dynasty ruled Persia. Their realm is also called Parthia, which included the Iranian plateau and intermittently Mesopotamia, from 253 BC until their overthrow by the Sassanid Dynasty in AD 226. At certain times Arsacid Kings also ruled over Armenia. Arsacid Dynasty - Historical Background. After the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander III, king of Macedonia, Iran became in a constant conflict between the Iranian traditions and the Hellenistic way of life, between civic life and oriental ...

Including:

• Arsacid Dynasty - Historical Background
• Arsacid Dynasty - The birth of an Empire
• Arsacid Dynasty - Arsacid Parthian Kings of Persia 250 BC - AD 226
• Arsacid Dynasty - Reference

Read more here: » Arsacid Dynasty: Encyclopedia - Arsacid Dynasty

Alexandria Eschate (Greek Ἀλεξανδρία Ἒσχατη, “Alexandria the Furthest”) was founded by Alexander the Great in 329 BCE as his most advanced base in Central Asia. It was established in the southwestern part of the Fergana Valley, on the southern bank of the river Jaxartes (modern name Syr Darya), at the location of the modern city of Khujand (also called Khodzhent, formerly Leninabad), in the state of Tajikistan. Alexander built a 6 kilometer brick wall around the city and, as for the other cities he founded, had ...

Including:

• Alexandria Eschate - A Hellenistic outpost in Central Asia
• Alexandria Eschate - Contacts with China

Read more here: » Alexandria Eschate: Encyclopedia - Alexandria Eschate

The Seleucid Empire was one of several political states founded after the death of Alexander the Great, whose generals squabbled over the division of Alexander's empire. There were over 30 kings of the Seleucid dynasty from 323 to 60 BC. Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC. Alexander the Great had conquered the Persian Empire within a short time-frame and died young, leaving an expansive empire of partly Hellenized culture without adult heir. Therefore his generals ...

Including:

• Seleucid Empire - The partition of Alexander's empire 323-281 BC
• Seleucid Empire - An overextended domain
• Seleucid Empire - Greco-Bactrian secession 250 BC
• Seleucid Empire - Parthian secession 250 BC
• Seleucid Empire - Eclipse and revival
• Seleucid Empire - The power of Rome and renewed disintegration
• Seleucid Empire - Civil war and further decay
• Seleucid Empire - Collapse of the Seleucid Empire
• Seleucid Empire - Seleucid rulers
• Seleucid Empire - In modern media

Read more here: » Seleucid Empire: Encyclopedia - Seleucid Empire

The history of Buddhism spans from the 6th century BCE to the present, starting with the birth of the Buddha Siddharta Gautama. This makes it one of the oldest religions practiced today. Throughout this period, the religion evolved as it encountered various countries and cultures, adding to its original Indian foundation Hellenistic as well as Central Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian cultural elements. In the process, its geographical extent became considerable so as to affect at one time or another most of the Asian continent. ...

Including:

• History of Buddhism - Life of the Buddha
• History of Buddhism - Early Buddhism
• History of Buddhism - 1st Buddhist council 5th c. BCE
• History of Buddhism - 2nd Buddhist council 383 BCE
• History of Buddhism - Ashokan proselytism c. 260 BCE
• History of Buddhism - 3rd Buddhist council c.250 BCE
• History of Buddhism - Hellenistic world
• History of Buddhism - Asian expansion
• History of Buddhism - Sunga persecutions 2nd–1st c.BCE
• History of Buddhism - Greco-Buddhist interaction 2nd c. BCE–1st c. CE
• History of Buddhism - Rise of Mahayana 1st c.BCE–2nd c.CE
• History of Buddhism - Mahayana expansion 1st c.CE–10th c.CE
• History of Buddhism - India
• History of Buddhism - Central and Northern Asia
• History of Buddhism - South-East Asia
• History of Buddhism - Emergence of the Vajrayana 5th century
• History of Buddhism - Theravada Renaissance 11th century CE—
• History of Buddhism - Expansion of Buddhism to the West
• History of Buddhism - Notes

Read more here: » History of Buddhism: Encyclopedia - History of Buddhism

Greco-Buddhism, sometimes spelled Græco-Buddhism, is the cultural syncretism between the culture of Classical Greece and Buddhism, which developed over a period of close to 800 years in Central Asia in the area corresponding to modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan, between the 4th century BCE and the 5th century CE. Greco-Buddhism influenced the artistic (and, possibly, conceptual) development of Buddhism, and in particular Mahayana Buddhism, before it was adopted by Central and Northeastern Asia from the 1st century CE, ultima ...

Including:

• Greco-Buddhism - Historical outline
• Greco-Buddhism - Religious interactions
• Greco-Buddhism - Alexander the Great in Bactria and India 331-325
• Greco-Buddhism - The Mauryan empire 322–183 BCE
• Greco-Buddhism - The Greek presence in Bactria 325 to 125 BCE
• Greco-Buddhism - The Indo-Greek kingdom and Buddhism 180 BCE –10 CE
• Greco-Buddhism - The Kushan empire 1st–3rd century CE
• Greco-Buddhism - Artistic influences
• Greco-Buddhism - The anthropomorphic representation of the Buddha
• Greco-Buddhism - A Hellenized Buddhist pantheon
• Greco-Buddhism - Greco-Buddhism and the rise of the Mahayana
• Greco-Buddhism - Conceptual influences
• Greco-Buddhism - Gandharan proselytism
• Greco-Buddhism - Intellectual influences in Asia
• Greco-Buddhism - Greco-Buddhism and the West
• Greco-Buddhism - Exchanges
• Greco-Buddhism - Religious influences
• Greco-Buddhism - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Buddhism: Encyclopedia - Greco-Buddhism

The Greco-Bactrians were a dynasty of Greek kings who controlled Bactria and Sogdiana, an area comprising today's northern Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia, the easternmost area of the Hellenistic world, from 250 to 125 BCE. Their expansion into northern India established the Indo-Greek Kingdom, which was to last until around 10 CE. Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE. The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom was founded by the Seleucid military governor of Bactria Diodotus around ...

Including:

• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Independence from the Seleucid Empire 250 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - The Euthydemid dynasty 230 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Conflict with the Seleucid empire and Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Greek culture in Bactria
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Geographic expansion
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with Eastern Central Asia and China
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Contacts with India 250–180
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Expansion into India after 180 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Usurpation of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Defeat against Parthia
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Nomadic invasions
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - First Yueh-Chih expansion c. 162 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Second Yueh-Chih expansion c. 120 BCE
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Main Greco-Bactrian kings and territories
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Diodotus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Euthydemus
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - House of Eucratides
• Greco-Bactrian Kingdom - Notes

Read more here: » Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Encyclopedia - Greco-Bactrian Kingdom

Gandhāra (also Ghandara, Ghandahra, Chandahara, and Persian Gandara) is the name of an ancient kingdom in eastern Afghanistan and north-west province of Pakistan. Gandhara was located mainly on southern side of Kabul River. In the east, it extended beyond Indus River and included within its boundaries parts of the valley of Kashmir (Political History of Ancient India, 1996, p 151). Gandhara - Geography. The Gandharas were settled since the Vedic times on the south bank of Kabul ...

Including:

• Gandhara - Geography
• Gandhara - Ancient Gandhara
• Gandhara - Persian rule
• Gandhara - Gandhara under the Mauryas
• Gandhara - Gandhara under Greek rule
• Gandhara - Language
• Gandhara - Gandharan proselytism
• Gandhara - Gandharan art
• Gandhara - Timeline
• Gandhara - External link

Read more here: » Gandhara: Encyclopedia - Gandhara