Pages: 343-349

This paper considers the question of the embassy to Alexander the Great from the Chorasmian king, whose name is mentioned in Arrian as Pharasmanes and in Quintus Curtius as Phrataphernes. Contrary to earlier assumptions, which regarded Pharasmanes and Phrataphernes as one and the same person, or as the father and son, the author suggests that they were in fact two different kings of two historically traditional parts of Chorasmia — western (left bank) and eastern (right bank) Chorasmia. Western Chorasmia was ruled over by Pharasmanes, while eastern Chorasmia by Phrataphernes. This is evident, first of all, from the mention of their neighbouring peoples: the Colchians and Amazons (Sarmatians) are referred to as neighbours of Pharasmanes, while the Dahae and Massagets as neighbours of Phrataphernes. Source accounts from the classical texts, as well as the archaeological, historical and geographical records clearly indicate that western and eastern Chorasmia differed from one another not only in material and artistic culture, but also in political organization and royal dynasties, representing two separate state formations. This process can be followed from earliest times to the present day.

Keywords: Chorasmia, Alexander the Great, Bactria, Marakanda, Dahae, Massagets, Sarmatians, Colchians.

Information about author:

Edvard Rtveladze (Tashkent, Uzbekistan). Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia. Fine Arts Scientific Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. Mustakillik Sq., 2, Tashkent, 100029, Uzbekistan
E-mail: [email protected]