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Bactrian 'Greek' gold.predating Alexander

Started by Imperial Dave, November 24, 2024, 08:49:48 PM

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Imperial Dave

Former Slingshot editor

Ian61

Those Greeks got around a bit. I know that Alexander found Greeks out East but in my memory they are almost an isolated case (exiled of some sort). This suggests much more widespread and longer influence.
Ian Piper
Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset

lionheartrjc

I studied the history of the Graeco-Bactrians at Lancaster University in 1984/85.  Even at this time, it was suspected that there were significant numbers of Greeks in the eastern Persian satrapies before the arrival of Alexander.

Imperial Dave

Which in reality shouldn't be too surprising to us....the ancient Greeks really were a well travelled culture
Former Slingshot editor

DBS

Though to be fair, artefacts do not necessarily indicate a local population, as opposed to long distance trade of valuable items.  For example, there is the theory that the Hellenic items found amongst the Skythians were probably made to order by Greeks on the Black Sea coast, which were then taken inland by satisfied customers.  I am not saying no Greeks in Bactria, but possibly only very small numbers of traders and artisans having a disproportionate effect on the archaeological record?
David Stevens

Keraunos

"Alexandria : Quest for a lost City" by Edmund Richardson provides a gripping story of the rediscovery of 'Alexandria Under the Mountains' in the 19th century - where the Bamian military base in Afghanistan now is.  I don't recall much discussion of Greeks in Bactria before Alexander.  Must explore further.