Ai Khanoum

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Ai Khanum, also known as Ai Khanoum and Alexandria on Oxus, was originally founded around the 4th century BC. It was an old Persian city resettled by Greeks and locals during the campaigns of Alexander the Great and was ruled by the Seleucid dynasty. The city was destroyed by 135 BC. The city features several structures which demonstrate a blending of various cultures, as do other artifacts found at the site. It has architectural features typical of a Hellenistic city including a theater, heroon, some Greek style houses and gymnasium. Some temples, as well as other buildings, show a merging of cultures in that they are temples to Greek gods built in a more local style, such as a temple to Zeus with a massive statue of the seated god constructed in Zoroastrian form. Other artifacts also demonstrate the meeting of different cultures that occurred in Ai Khanum. Coins of several different cultures were found, including Indian and Seleucid coins.
Also located on the Silk Road, the region in which Ai Khanum was founded is rich in agricultural and mineral potential. Many of the exterior features of the city have now disappeared following looting and the site being used as a battleground in the Soviet War in Afghanistan.
Ai Khanum is approximately 4945km from Rome and 4070km from Athens.
Ai Khanum was an ancient city build by Alexander the Great. a great place to visit even tough you can see only some parts of old walls and one base-part of a column. you will have an exciting view and this very special feeling of being part of the history.
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Coordinates:  37°9'59"N 69°24'33"E
This article was last modified 13 years ago