File:Turkmenistan_Merv_city.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Merv
Also known as Merve Oasis, Marv, Merw, Marw, Margush
Merv ( ; ), also known as the Merve Oasis, was a major Iranian city in Central Asia, located on the historical Silk Road, near today's Mary, Turkmenistan. Human settlements on the site of Merv existed from the 3rd millennium BC until the 18th century AD. It changed hands repeatedly throughout history. Under the Achaemenid Empire, it was the center of the satrapy of Margiana. It was subsequently ruled by Hellenistic Kings, Parthians, Sasanians, Arabs, Ghaznavids, Seljuqs, Khwarazmians and Timurids, among others.
AI overview
Merv was a major Central Asian city on the Silk Road (in present-day Turkmenistan) that was continuously inhabited from the 3rd millennium BC until the 18th century AD, serving as an important center under numerous empires including the Achaemenids, Parthians, Sasanians, and various Islamic dynasties. Its long history and strategic location made it a significant hub of trade, culture, and power as different rulers controlled the region across thousands of years.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Ancient site.name
- Merv
- Ancient site.native_name
- ''''
- Ancient site.alternate_name
- AlexandriaAntiochia in MargianaMarw al-Shāhijān
- Ancient site.image
- Turkmenistan Merv city.jpg
- Ancient site.alt
- Photograph of the ruins of the city of Marv
- Ancient site.caption
- Ruins of the city of Merv: the Great Kyz Kala.
- Ancient site.map_type
- West Asia#Turkmenistan
- Ancient site.relief
- yes
- Ancient site.region
- Central Asia
- Ancient site.type
- Settlement
- Ancient site.abandoned
- 1789
- Ancient site.cultures
- Persian, Buddhist, Arab, Seljuk, Mongol, Turkmen
~36 min read
Article
28 sectionsContents
- History
- Hellenistic era
- Parthian era
- Sasanian era
- Arab conquest and influence
- Turkmens in Merv
- Mongols in Merv
- Uzbeks in Merv and its final destruction
- Nineteenth century
- Remains
- Organization of remains
- Erk Gala
- Gäwürgala
- Soltangala
- Shaim Kala
- Abdyllahangala
- Demographics
- Economy
- Geography
- International relations
- Twin towns – sister cities
- Gallery
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Citations
- Sources
- External links
Merv ( ; ), also known as the Merve Oasis, was a major Iranian city in Central Asia, located on the historical Silk Road, near today's Mary, Turkmenistan. Human settlements on the site of Merv existed from the 3rd millennium BC until the 18th century AD. It changed hands repeatedly throughout history. Under the Achaemenid Empire, it was the center of the satrapy of Margiana. It was subsequently ruled by Hellenistic Kings, Parthians, Sasanians, Arabs, Ghaznavids, Seljuqs, Khwarazmians and Timurids, among others.
Merv served as the capital of several polities throughout its history. In the beginning of the 9th century, Merv was the seat of the caliph al-Ma'mun and the capital of the entire Islamic caliphate. It served later as the seat of the Tahirid governors of Khorasan. In the 11th–12th centuries, Merv was the capital of the Great Seljuk Empire and remained so until its ultimate fall. Around this time, Merv turned into a chief centre of Islamic science and culture, attracting as well as producing renowned poets, musicians, physicians, mathematicians and astronomers. The great Persian polymath Omar Khayyam, among others, spent a number of years working at the observatory in Merv. As Persian geographer and traveller al-Istakhri wrote of Merv: "Of all the countries of Iran, these people were noted for their talents and education." Arab geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi counted as many as 10 giant libraries in Merv, including one within a major mosque that contained 12,000 volumes.
Gallery (42)
On the map
3 mapped locations
Connections
Categories
AmṣarArchaeological sites in TurkmenistanBactrian and Indian Hellenistic periodCapitals of caliphatesCities founded by Alexander the GreatCities in Central AsiaDestroyed populated placesFormer populated places in TurkmenistanMary RegionMervMurghab basinParthian citiesPopulated places along the Silk Road
