Idea #603 – Exploring the remains of the Parthe city of Abiverd in Turkmenistan
Abiverd seems to be the site of the ancient Dara, parthia city located in the province of Ahal in southern Turkmenistan, close to the border with Iran. Abiverd, richer and more fertile than Nisa, was founded by Arsace, before he moved his capital to Hecatompylos in the third century BC. The foundation of Abiverd is also attributed to Tiridate, Arsace’s brother.
The last two Sassanids Yazdgard and Peroz, who reign in the seventh century, each build a fortress near the city.Medieval geographers refer to Abiverd as a prosperous city in a fertile area providing abundant harvests, hitting its own currency, evidence of its economic importance and independence. The period of prosperity of Abiverd corresponds to the reign of Seljuq Toghrul-Beg and the reign of Ghaznavid Masud.In 1221, Abiverd suffered a first destruction during the Mongol invasion led by Tolui, the last son of Genghis Khan.
After destroying Merv, Tolui razed the walls and filled Abiverd’s bends. For Abiverd it is the beginning of an endless decline. In 1404, a traveler mentions Abiverd as a rather large city devoid of fortification. From the sixteenth century, with the arrival of Uzbek tribes from Khiva and Bukhara, Abiverd will change its name several times: Bavard and Giva at the whim of the rulers. Historians of this period note that Abiverd is then richer than Nisa. Abiverd was finally destroyed by Nâdir Shâh around 1730, and seems to have been abandoned since then.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Abivert, Ahal, Turkmenistan
