Alexandria Ariana

The first of many Alexandrias in the Far East of the Macedonian Empire, Alexandria in Ariana was a city in what is now Afghanistan, one of the twenty-plus cities founded or renamed by Alexander the Great. The third largest Afghan city, Herat, is the city's modern name.  

In 330 BC, the Greek armies of Alexander moved the capital of the satrapy of Aria from Artacoana to the new site. In doing this, he expanded an existing Persian fortress.

The location of this town is difficult to determine due to the sparsity of ancient sources. However:
 Ptolemy places it near lake Arius possibly on the west side of lake Zerra at a town called Corra.
 Pliny says it was on the Arias River at the location of modern Herat.
 Eratosthenes states that Alexandria Arion is 3870 Stadia from Bactra and 6400 Stadia from the Caspian Gates. 
  Mannert takes the Arius River to be the modern Hari river making the site  the village of Pilki.

Alexandria in Ariana is listed on the Parthian Stations Itinerarium and is also shown on the Tabula Peutingeriana.

See also
List of cities founded by Alexander the Great

References

External links

Category:Cities founded by Alexander the Great
Category:Populated places established in the 4th century BC
Category:330s BC establishments
Category:Former populated places in Afghanistan
Category:Populated places along the Silk Road
Category:Cities in Central Asia
Category:History of Herat