The historical Eucratideia (Historical Alexandria on the Oxus River, Later Renamed Arukratiya or Eucratidia) was one of the primary cities and an enigma of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and of the Indo-Greek kings when they ruled both in Bactria and northwestern India, from the time of Demetrius to the time of Eucratides (170–145 BC). Alexander the Great is believed to have founded the city in around 327 BC. The city is located in Takhar Province, northern Afghanistan. It is on the lower of two major sets of routes (lowland and highland) which connect Western Asia to the Khyber Pass which gives road access to South Asia. Eucratideia was one of the focal points of Hellenism in the East, combined in both Greek and Persian style, the magnificent Royal Palace was built in the Achaemenid style while clear Greek influence is also noticeable, with the large amphitheater and several Hellenic temples also found. For nearly two centuries, Eucratideia remained the principal city of Bactria, serving as the capital of the Bactrian kingdom, until its annihilation by nomadic invaders around 145 BC about the time of death of Eukratides the Great. Archaeological excavations have revealed 1. two-miles long ramparts, circling the city. 2. A Classical theater, 84 meters in diameter with 35 rows of seats, that could sit 4,000-6,000 people, equipped with three loges for the rulers of the city. 3. A huge palace in Greco-Bactrian architecture, somehow reminiscent of formal Persian palatial architecture. 4. A gymnasium (100 × 100m), one of the largest of Antiquity. A dedication in Greek to Hermes and Herakles was found engraved on one of the pillars. The dedication was made by two men with Greek names (Triballos & Strato, son of Strato). 5. Various temples around the city. The largest temple in the city appeared to contain a monumental statue of Zeus sitting, but a Zoroastrian model (rather than open columnar structure of the Greek temple, it was firmly closed.) [Credit: Ai-Khanoum, Wiki]
Old World
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