Alexandria Ariana

The first of many Alexandrias in the Far East of the Macedonian Empire, Alexandria in Ariana was a city in what is now Afghanistan, one of the twenty-plus cities founded or renamed by Alexander the Great. The third largest Afghan city, Herat, is the city's modern name.[1][2]

For other places named "Alexandria", see Alexandria (disambiguation).
Alexandria Ariana
City
Mercator Map (1578) - Asiae-Tabula IX
CountryAfghanistan

Citadel in the old city of Herat believed to have been constructed by Alexander.

In 330 BC, the Greek armies of Alexander moved the capital of the satrapy of Aria[3] from Artacoana to the new site.[4] In doing this, he expanded an existing Persian fortress.

The location of this town is difficult to determine due to the sparsity of ancient sources. However:

  • Ptolemy[5] places it near lake Arius possibly on the west side of lake Zerra at a town called Corra.
  • Pliny says[6] it was on the Arias River at the location of modern Herat.
  • Eratosthenes states that Alexandria Arion is 3870 Stadia from Bactra and 6400 Stadia from the Caspian Gates.[7]
  • Mannert takes the Arius River to be the modern Hari river making the site the village of Pilki.[8]

Alexandria in Ariana is listed on the Parthian Stations Itinerarium and is also shown on the Tabula Peutingeriana.

See also

References
  1. Jona Lendering (16 December 2007). "Alexander the Great: his towns". Livius.org. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  2. "The Empire and Expeditions of Alexander the Great". World Digital Library. 1833. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  3. Pliny vi 61 93
  4. Strabo, xi 8,9 and 10.
  5. Ptolemey, Geography vi 17
  6. Pliny History Nat vi 23
  7. Strabo xi c 8
  8. Penny Cyclopaedia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, Volume 1 By Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (Great Britain) p.317


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