Abiward

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Abiward was a city in Central Asia . Today it is on the territory of Turkmenistan , near the border with Iran .

location

Abiward is at the transition from the Kopet-Day to the Karakum Desert . Today the ruined city ​​is located immediately north of the Iranian-Turkmen border, near the Turkmen capital Asgabat .

history

The Sassanid Empire extended to Central Asia

The history of Abiward goes back to the time of the Parthian Empire , which held the predominant position in Iran and the neighboring areas from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. In the 3rd century AD, the Sassanids under Ardaschir I managed to conquer the Parthian Empire. Abiward was in the northwest of the Sassanid Empire, which extended to the Oxus . Abiward was of strategic importance as part of a line of defense against incursions by warlike tribes from the areas beyond the Oxus.

Abiward as part of the Arab Empire

In 651 the Islamic invaders reached Abiward after defeating the Sassanid Empire in 642 at the Battle of Nehawend . A garrison was established in the city, but the city's administration remained in the hands of local dignitaries and was initially little influenced by the Arab conquerors. Abiward was only under administration of the governor of Khorasan before it in the 9th century the Samanid belonged sphere of influence. In the later 9th century the Ghaznavids were able to oust the Sassanid Empire and also bring the Khorasan region under their control. The Ghaznavids could no longer defend the region around Abiward against incursions by warlike tribes, so that the Turkmens gained ever greater influence over the region and shaped it culturally and linguistically.

Abiward also existed in the Safavid Empire and the Mongol Empire , but experienced a steady decline, caused by constant Persian-Turkmen clashes and raids in the region. The city lost its importance and merged into the more powerful city of Dargaz, which is now on the Iranian side of the border .

Today there are still ruins of the former town of Abiward.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bernd Liermann: The ancient Persia. Retrieved December 8, 2018 .
  2. ↑ ABĪVARD - Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved December 8, 2018 .

Coordinates: 37 ° 23 ′ 28 ″  N , 59 ° 34 ′ 0 ″  E