The Lost Greek Cities of Central Asia

For centuries, Bactria - a region shared by modern Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan - was part of the Hellenistic world. Conquered by Alexander the Great, Bactria became the heart of a powerful Greek kingdom. And even after the Greco-Bactrian kingdom was overrun by nomads, its cities continued to thrive. This video explores their fates.

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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Alexander in Central Asia
1:58 Bactria and its cities
3:07 The Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
3:50 Ai-Khanoum
4:53 Greek culture at Ai-Khanoum
5:34 An ethnically mixed city
6:28 The menace of the steppes
7:11 Barbarians at the gates
8:03 The Kushan Empire
8:33 Greek influence on Kushan art
9:42 The Bimaran Casket
10:14 The Tillya Tepe Tombs
10:42 Greek language on Kushan coins
11:14 The decline of Greek influence
11:35 Disappearance of the Greeks
12:13 Alexandria in Arachosia
12:36 Antioch in Margiana
13:03 Alexandria in the Caucasus
13:34 Destruction of the ruins
13:58 Conclusion

Thanks for watching!

[robinannaniaz]

I'm an Afghan Turkmen. My dad used to own coins minted in the Helenic kingdoms. He used to say "these coins are over a thousand years old. they come from the great Iskandar".
I alwasy thought the coins and sotreis were fake. It's qite mind blowing to find out that he was right

[gododoof]

Greco Bactria is one of the most fascinating anomalies from the Hellenistic period. Such a shame it's ruins are being pillaged like that.

[gregoryferraro]

The Bactrian Kingdom fascinates me. Always enjoy learning more about it.

[apoked]

An amazing example of the influence still somewhat exerted by the Greco-Bactrian kingdom is that the modern seal of the central bank of Afghanistan bears the inscription in Greek "ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΕΥΚΡΑΤΙΔΟΥ" which means "Of the great king Eucratides".

[kristiangustafson]

I served in Afghanistan in 12-13. Due to my role and the resources that came with it, I got the opportunity to go to a lot of the old Graeco-Bactrian places, or at least fly over them (the place is dotted with ruins from many periods). Many of the Afghans I talked to were very aware, and proud of, the Greek heritage they inherited (and also claimed as their own). I had an opportunity after a raid to see (seized from the baddies) a beautiful head of Athena about to be trafficked out of the country (and of course this is still probably what happened to it).

[stevebrickshitta]

One of the most obscure, yet fascinating aspects of Hellenistic history.
Thank you for sharing.

[konstantinapapaioannou]

I am Greek and I want to visit Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan so badly and see this for myself - that is, if there is any of it left anymore... I am always fascinated to read old Greek on columns and memorials. Like Rosetta stone, for example, it gave me goose bumps, because, well, I could understand a big chunk of it, make out words and sentences, and it was written more than 2, 100 years ago. Imagine managing to read something like this in Uzbekistan. Damn. I'm just wondering why I did not become an archaeologist, I'm so fascinated by all of that. What am I doing with my life.

[Izwat]

Iam from the city Kunduz in Afghanistan i took an DNA test it showed i had 26% southern greek affiliation.

[michaelhoffmann]

How refreshing these video are! No annoying soundtrack that makes other "documentaries" feel like Spielberg spectacles. No superfluous, sensationalist speculation. Awaiting your book to be available in Australia (or rather not be delayed until some time in the 25th century, due to global shipping shortages)

[bc]

That Bactrian gold coin looks highly impressive when you compare it to the coinage portaits of the later Roman empire and Byzantine coins.

[larsrons]

Alexander wasn't the first to found Greek settlements in Bactria. When the Persians expanded their empire and conquered Greek cities they sometimes relocated the population to the far corner of their empire, Bactria. So when Alexander first arrived, Greek culture and numerous Greek settlements had already been there for hundreds of years.

[lulzjeffy]

This is an interesting component of Greek history that I don't often think about (and I assume most others don't as well). The Ancient Greeks were a marvelous civilization, and their ambitions for conquest were remarkable. Taking them thousands of miles into central Asia where, as this video illustrates, they had a major cultural and social influence on that people and societies there.

[scottn]

I remember seeing that video of those soldiers pulling statues down and breaking ancient artifacts. Between that, and the looters, it breaks my heart. Regardless of what part of the world it comes from, the history of humanity belongs to all of us, and it makes me so frustrated when people don't - or can't - care about protecting and preserving it.

[kingofbosnia]

This channel is completely underrated. Absolutely amazing content, I truly wish more people would get to see your videos.

[brazni]

I have long been interested to hear about these "alien" greek places and cultures.
great video

[matthewm]

I did my art history paper on Greco-Bactrian Buddhist art. Amazing stories

[rickb]

These places were such highlights in the 60s hippie trail to India. Lucky people that drove in VW vans safely through these landscapes and experiencing such cultural treasures. I always hoped I could do it too but current affairs make that unlikely.

[kaloarepo]

There are ruins of Greek cities in Afghanistan 40 miles from the Chinese border.

[donaldfedosiuk]

Videos like this are a prime reason why the study of history (even as cursory a one as mine) has been an insistent and enduring pleasure since I first read a book called "A Child's History of the World" when I was about eight. Thank you for this!

[dimevans]

This is an excellent and very well documented video. Respect from Greece. Thank you.