Friday, April 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Afghanistan me ellinika onomata - in Greek
Badahkstan ( the northeastern province of Afghanistan) = ancient "Balaskeia" which means a "vault" or "thesavrofylakio" in Greek. The reason for this name is the area is rich in gemstones primarily Lapis Lazuli. The old mine, apparently, has been in operation for 7,000 years and its name is given as Darrah Zu. It is located in the remote valley of Kokcha river. At the mouth of this river, which is where this river meets the Amu Darya river, lies the city of Ai Khanum, probably the ancient Eucratidia, named after king Eucratides, the Greek-Bactrian king. This city is the only Greek city that has been excavated so far. It is one of the so-called "1000 Greek cities of the Bactrian Empire" according to Tan.
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