The ancient Iranian-speaking historical region and civilization in the area south of the Oxus River (Amu Darya) and north of the Hindu Kush, one of the oldest centers of Zoroastrianism and later an Achaemenid satrapy.
Early Bactria as a distinct regional polity was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329–327 BCE following the defeat of the Achaemenid satrap Bessus; it subsequently became a Macedonian-controlled satrapy and eventually the core of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom (c. 256–125 BCE) established by Diodotus I.
Discusses Indo-Iranian migrations into Bactria and the Avestan/Zoroastrian connection.
Covers pre-Achaemenid Bactria including its relationship to the BMAC and early Iranian cultures.