Kurushata
Cyropolis , other transcriptions Kurušata, Kyrušchate, Kyreschate, Kureschate , Old Persian Kurušati , Greek Kuroupolis , Latin Cyropolis , was the name of a Central Asian city in the territory of the historical region Sogdiana within Transoxiana near the river Jaxartes (now Syr Darya was).
Scientists initially derived from the Iranian KuruÞkaƒa and suspected the equation with another city. In the meantime, however, most scholars assume the old Persian meaning šati / a ( far, last, far ) and therefore translate Kurušata with Cyrus' most distant city / most distant city of Cyrus .
The city was originally built as a fortress between 537 BC. BC and 532 BC Founded by Cyrus II during his campaigns in the eastern Persian provinces . It served as a support and supply point for the battles against the massagers and saks . Kurushata is also mentioned in the records of Alexander the Great .
Kurushata is mostly localized on the site of today's city of Istaravshan in the west of the Ferghana Valley in Tajikistan . An ancient fortress with the current local name Schirin near the village of Kurkat was named as an alternative location. This place is north of Istaravshan (in the direction of Khujand ) and thus closer to Syr Darya. The place name Kurkat can be traced back to Kuruschata.
literature
- Dietz-Otto Edzard and a. (Ed.): Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Aräologie . Volume 6, de Gruyter, Berlin 1983, ISBN 3-11-010051-7
Web links
- Igor V. P'yankov: Cyropolis. In: Encyclopædia Iranica .