Bactria | Map, History, & Facts

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class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria">Bactria</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <span class="toc-extra-link selected link-gray-900 mt-15"> Introduction </span> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Bactria">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/24475-004-0A87A4FA/Diodotus-I-coin.jpg" data-href="/media/1/48344/9978" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/24475-004-0A87A4FA/Diodotus-I-coin.jpg" alt="Diodotus I" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-050-DDD18F15/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/48344/286047" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-004-8596CE47/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg" alt="Bactria" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-student-links"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> For Students </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/summary/Bactria"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/24475-004-0A87A4FA/Diodotus-I-coin.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Diodotus I" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/summary/Bactria" >Bactria summary</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-quizzes"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Quizzes </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/quiz/ancient-greece"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/159658-131-6562599E/Alexander-the-Great-marble-bust-British-Museum.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Marble bust of Alexander the Great, in the British Museum, London, England. Hellenistic Greek, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. Height: 37 cm." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/quiz/ancient-greece" >Ancient Greece</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-discover"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Discover </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/which-waters-do-you-pass-through-when-you-sail-the-seven-seas"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/196697-131-0155C802/Sailboat-landscape.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Sailboat against a beautiful landscape" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/which-waters-do-you-pass-through-when-you-sail-the-seven-seas" >Which Waters Do You Pass Through When You “Sail the Seven Seas”?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/nostradamus-and-his-prophecies"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/193239-131-181E3553/Statue-Nostradamus.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Statue of Nostradamus" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/nostradamus-and-his-prophecies" >Nostradamus and His Prophecies</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/holi-festival-of-colors"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/57/244757-131-EBAFDFE0/Hindu-Holi-Festival-Mathura-Uttar-Pradesh-India.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Hindu Holi Festival celebrations with colored water, powder and colorful flower petals thrown over celebrants at a Hindu temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India on March 24, 2021." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/holi-festival-of-colors" >Holi: Festival of Colors</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/6-important-mughal-emperors"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/172209-131-02E18D09/Shah-Jahan-watercolour-gold-ink-paper-1690.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal. Mughal architecture. Emperor Shah Jahan fifth Mughal Emperor (reigned 1628-1658) India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli or Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1690 Drawings; Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper (see notes)" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/6-important-mughal-emperors" >6 Important Mughal Emperors</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/196471-131-8FEA8DDD/Daily-Police-Bulletin-Elizabeth-Short-Black-Dahlia-January-1947.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/americas-5-most-notorious-cold-cases-including-one-you-may-have-thought-was-already-solved" >America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/the-seven-sacraments-of-the-roman-catholic-church"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/152735-131-06FBAE3F/Marriage-couple-church-wedding-ceremony.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/the-seven-sacraments-of-the-roman-catholic-church" >The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-best-sports-rivalries-of-all-time"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/189653-131-A7E9422A/Kevin-Garnett-shooting-Ronny-Turiaf-Boston-Celtics-2008.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-best-sports-rivalries-of-all-time" >10 Great Sports Rivalries</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button class="drawerToggle btn position-sticky border btn-xs btn-white btn-circle rounded-sm d-none d-lg-flex " type="button" aria-label="Toggle Drawer"> <em class="material-icons font-18 text-blue" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="h-100 ml-0 pr-lg-0 "> <div class="h-100 grid gx-0 gx-lg-20"> <div class="h-100 col-sm"> <div class="h-100 infinite-pagination-container d-flex flex-column position-relative"> <div class="position-absolute top-0 h-100 w-100"> <div class="toc-sticky-header d-none d-lg-none bg-gray-50 px-10 px-sm-30 position-sticky w-100 "> <div class="toc-sticky-header-inner-container align-items-center d-flex mx-auto h-100 w-100"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-sm btn-white text-blue border-2 border-gray-100 gtm-mobile-toc-header-button js-sections-button d-lg-none p-10"> <em class="material-icons my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Contents </button> 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src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/24475-004-0A87A4FA/Diodotus-I-coin.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop" alt="Diodotus I" loading="eager" /> </picture> <button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </a> </div> <figcaption class="card-body"> <div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"> <span> <a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/24475-004-0A87A4FA/Diodotus-I-coin.jpg" data-href="/media/1/48344/9978">Diodotus I</a> <span><span>Diodotus I, king of Bactria, coin, 3rd century <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>Bactria</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">ancient country, Central Asia</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 px-sm-5 px-md-10 js-inline-ai-ask-button"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="48344"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2 text-nowrap" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <a class="js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" 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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-authors-initial="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-title="Bactria" data-published-date="1 Feb. 2025" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=48344] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="Bactria" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria">https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=48344] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/48344"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/bactria" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Encyclopaedia Iranica - Bactria</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.iranchamber.com/geography/articles/balkh.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Iran Chamber Society - History of Balkh (Bactria)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/AsiaBactria.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">The History Files - Bactria</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/history-bactria.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">GlobalSecurity.org - 1000-550 BC - Bactrian Kingdom</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.livius.org/articles/place/bactria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Livius - Bactria, Asia</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.academia.edu/1315140/The_Barbarisation_of_Bactria" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Academia - The Barbarisation of Bactria (PDF)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/bactria-0015892/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Ancient Origins - Bactria - The Bountiful, Sought-after Region of Ancient History</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 d-none mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10 px-sm-5 px-md-10 js-header-ai-ask-button"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Bactriana, Zariaspa</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-01T00:00:00CST" >Feb 1, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bactria/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn btn-sm border-2 btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 module-spacing js-inline-ai-ask-button p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also called: </dt> <dd>Bactriana or Zariaspa</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Antiochus-III-the-Great" topicid="28361">Antiochus III the Great</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Eucratides" topicid="194943">Eucratides</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Menander-Indo-Greek-king" topicid="374659">Menander</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/Achaemenian-dynasty" topicid="3415">Achaemenian dynasty</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Darius-III" topicid="151631">Darius III</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/Yuezhi" topicid="654618">Yuezhi</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/Hephthalite" topicid="262325">Hephthalite</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Places: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Afghanistan" topicid="7798">Afghanistan</a></dd> <dd><a href="/place/Uzbekistan" topicid="621059">Uzbekistan</a></dd> <dd><a href="/place/Tajikistan" topicid="581047">Tajikistan</a></dd> <dd><a href="/place/ancient-Iran" topicid="851961">ancient Iran</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Bactria"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref86044"></span>Bactria</strong>, ancient country lying between the mountains of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Hindu-Kush" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hindu Kush</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Amu-Darya" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Amu Darya</a> (ancient Oxus River) in what is now part of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Afghanistan</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Uzbekistan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Uzbekistan</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Tajikistan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tajikistan</a>. Bactria was especially important between about 600 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span> and about 600 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span>, serving for much of that time as a meeting place not only for overland trade between East and West but also for the crosscurrents of religious and artistic ideas. Bactria’s capital was Bactra, also called Bactra-Zariaspa (now <span id="ref86045"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Balkh" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Balkh</a>, Afghanistan). Bactria was a fertile country, and a profusion of mounds and abandoned water channels testifies to its ancient <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="prosperity" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/prosperity" data-type="EB">prosperity</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="286047" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-050-DDD18F15/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/48344/286047"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-050-DDD18F15/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-050-DDD18F15/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg?w=300" alt="Bactria" data-width="2000" data-height="2000" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/72/244472-050-DDD18F15/Locator-map-Bactria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/48344/286047">Bactria</a><span>Bactria, ancient country in Central Asia, c. 600 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The first written records of Bactria are <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Achaemenian-dynasty" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Achaemenian</a>. The region was probably subdued by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cyrus-the-Great" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cyrus II</a> (the Great) in the 6th century <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span> and remained an Achaemenian province for the next 200 years. When <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-the-Great" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alexander the Great</a> defeated <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Darius-III" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Darius III</a>, the Bactrian satrap, <span id="ref86046"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bessus" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bessus</a>, tried unsuccessfully to organize resistance in the East. Upon the death of Alexander (323 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>) Bactria passed under the rule of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Seleucus-I-Nicator" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Seleucus I Nicator</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">About 250 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span> either <span id="ref86047"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diodotus-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Diodotus</a>, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Seleucid-Empire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Seleucid</a> satrap of Bactria, or his son of the same name founded an independent kingdom. The Seleucid king <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Antiochus-III-the-Great" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Antiochus III</a> (the Great) defeated their successor, the usurper <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Euthydemus-king-of-Bactria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Euthydemus</a>, but continued to recognize his independence. Euthydemus’s successors advanced into the Hindu Kush and northwestern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/India" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">India</a>, where they established the <span id="ref86048"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Indo-Greek-kingdom" class="md-crosslink ">Indo-Greek</a> branch of the kingdom. At the height of their power they ruled almost all of what is now <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Afghanistan</a>, parts of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Central-Asia-102306" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Central Asia</a>, and a large area in what is now <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Pakistan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pakistan</a>. Consequently, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Hellenistic-Age" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hellenistic</a> influence on the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="culture" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture" data-type="MW">culture</a> of Central Asia and northwestern India has been considerable. Hellenistic traditions are especially evident in art, architecture, coinage, and script.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/ancient-greece" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/58/159658-131-6562599E/Alexander-the-Great-marble-bust-British-Museum.jpg" alt="Marble bust of Alexander the Great, in the British Museum, London, England. Hellenistic Greek, 2nd-1st century BC. Said to be from Alexandria, Egypt. Height: 37 cm." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Ancient Greece</div> </div> </a><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Sometime before 128 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>, Greek rule north of the Hindu Kush was challenged by a people known to the Chinese as the <span id="ref86049"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yuezhi" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Yuezhi</a>. By 128 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span> the Greeks had become Yuezhi tributaries, and soon afterward the Yuezhi occupied Bactria. They probably were an Iranian people and included the <span id="ref86050"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tocharoi" class="md-crosslink ">Tocharoi</a>, whose name was subsequently applied to the whole area (Tocharian kingdom). In the 1st century <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span> the new rulers of Bactria extended their rule into northwestern India. That movement is associated with a group known as the <span id="ref86051"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kushan" class="md-crosslink ">Kushans</a>, under whom the country became a centre of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Buddhism</a>. In the latter half of the 4th century the Hephthalites (originally a tribe of the Yuezhi) settled in Bactria, and for almost two centuries they engaged in wars with the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sasanian-dynasty" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sasanians</a>. In 565 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span> the western Turks overthrew the <span id="ref86052"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hephthalite" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hephthalites</a> and ruled the area until the invasion of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rashidun" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Rashidun</a> caliphate in the middle of the 7th century.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature font-12"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="md-signature font-12">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Adam-Zeidan/12409087">Adam Zeidan</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-simplify-root"></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":48344,"pageLength":433,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.36"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.36' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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