Difference between revisions of "Persian rule"
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| − | The Persian invaders of [[Gandara]] were commanded by king Cyrus the Great (559-530). Although there is no source that describes this event, we may be confident that it happened, because king Darius the Great (522-486) mentions [[Gandara]] as one of the countries he inherited when he became king (in the Behistun inscription). | + | The [[Persian]] invaders of [[Gandara]] were commanded by [[king]] {{Wiki|Cyrus the Great}} (559-530). Although there is no source that describes this event, we may be confident that it happened, because [[king]] [[Darius]] the Great (522-486) mentions [[Gandara]] as one of the countries he inherited when he became [[king]] (in the [[Behistun inscription]]). |
| − | The capital of [[Gandara]] was later called Kapisa. The city was strategically situated: it controlled the roads to the Etymandrus valley, to the Cophen valley and to the passes leading to Bactria. Its modern name is Begram and it lies 75 kilometers north of Kabul, near Chârikâr. | + | The capital of [[Gandara]] was later called [[Kapisa]]. The city was strategically situated: it controlled the roads to the Etymandrus valley, to the Cophen valley and to the passes leading to {{Wiki|Bactria}}. Its {{Wiki|modern}} [[name]] is [[Begram]] and it lies 75 kilometers [[north]] of [[Kabul]], near Chârikâr. |
| − | According to the Greek researcher Herodotus of Halicarnassus (fifth century BCE), the Gandarians belonged to the seventh (and poorest) tax district of the Achaemenid empire, together with three other tribes, the Sattagydians, the Dadicae and Aparitae. He dates his list of tax districts during the reign of king Darius. | + | According to the {{Wiki|Greek}} researcher {{Wiki|Herodotus}} of Halicarnassus (fifth century BCE), the Gandarians belonged to the seventh (and poorest) tax district of the [[Achaemenid]] [[empire]], together with three other tribes, the Sattagydians, the Dadicae and Aparitae. He dates his list of tax districts during the reign of [[king]] [[Darius]]. |
| − | It is certain that Darius sent out a Carian named Scylax of Caryanda to describe the eastern territories of his empire. He started his tour in a town called Caspatyrus, which must have been situated somewhere on the banks of the Cophen. In those years, the satrap of [[Gandara]] was Megabazus, who had been fighting in Europe after 513. | + | It is certain that [[Darius]] sent out a Carian named Scylax of [[Caryanda]] to describe the eastern territories of his [[empire]]. He started his tour in a town called Caspatyrus, which must have been situated somewhere on the banks of the Cophen. In those years, the satrap of [[Gandara]] was Megabazus, who had been fighting in {{Wiki|Europe}} after 513. |
| − | A generation later, we hear again about [[Gandara]]. Herodotus mentions how a contingent of Gandarian and Dadican soldiers was ordered to fight in Greece in 480 BCE. | + | A generation later, we hear again about [[Gandara]]. {{Wiki|Herodotus}} mentions how a contingent of Gandarian and Dadican soldiers was ordered to fight in {{Wiki|Greece}} in 480 BCE. |
| − | This is the last time [[Gandara]] is mentioned in our sources for about a century and a half. There is one exception: we know that yaka-wood was transported from [[Gandara]] and Carmania to Susa, where a new palace was built. It is not clear what yaka-wood may have been (perhaps teak-wood?), but it must have been very precious. In the palace at Persepolis, pictures of Gandarians can be seen. They carry swords and shields and take buffaloes to the great king. | + | This is the last time [[Gandara]] is mentioned in our sources for about a century and a half. There is one exception: we know that yaka-wood was transported from [[Gandara]] and Carmania to Susa, where a new palace was built. It is not clear what yaka-wood may have been (perhaps teak-wood?), but it must have been very [[precious]]. In the palace at Persepolis, pictures of Gandarians can be seen. They carry swords and shields and take buffaloes to the great [[king]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:24, 7 January 2016
The Persian invaders of Gandara were commanded by king Cyrus the Great (559-530). Although there is no source that describes this event, we may be confident that it happened, because king Darius the Great (522-486) mentions Gandara as one of the countries he inherited when he became king (in the Behistun inscription).
The capital of Gandara was later called Kapisa. The city was strategically situated: it controlled the roads to the Etymandrus valley, to the Cophen valley and to the passes leading to Bactria. Its modern name is Begram and it lies 75 kilometers north of Kabul, near Chârikâr.
According to the Greek researcher Herodotus of Halicarnassus (fifth century BCE), the Gandarians belonged to the seventh (and poorest) tax district of the Achaemenid empire, together with three other tribes, the Sattagydians, the Dadicae and Aparitae. He dates his list of tax districts during the reign of king Darius.
It is certain that Darius sent out a Carian named Scylax of Caryanda to describe the eastern territories of his empire. He started his tour in a town called Caspatyrus, which must have been situated somewhere on the banks of the Cophen. In those years, the satrap of Gandara was Megabazus, who had been fighting in Europe after 513.
A generation later, we hear again about Gandara. Herodotus mentions how a contingent of Gandarian and Dadican soldiers was ordered to fight in Greece in 480 BCE.
This is the last time Gandara is mentioned in our sources for about a century and a half. There is one exception: we know that yaka-wood was transported from Gandara and Carmania to Susa, where a new palace was built. It is not clear what yaka-wood may have been (perhaps teak-wood?), but it must have been very precious. In the palace at Persepolis, pictures of Gandarians can be seen. They carry swords and shields and take buffaloes to the great king.
