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HOME :
Near Eastern Art :
Masterpieces : Bactrian Glazed Terracotta Vessel in the Form of a Head
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Bactrian Glazed Terracotta Vessel in the Form of a Head - SF.298
Origin: Afghanistan
Circa: 300
BC
to 100
BC
Dimensions:
4.75" (12.1cm) high
x 4" (10.2cm) wide
Collection: Near Eastern Art
Medium: Glazed Terracotta
£9,000.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
In the history of the ancient world, Bactria is
somewhat of an anomaly: a Greek kingdom in
what is now Afghanistan. That Greek civilization
penetrated so far into Central Asia is quite
astounding in itself. When Alexander the Great
conquered the Persian Empire, he acquired all its
outlying provinces including Bactria. Greek forces
then established and maintained control in
Bactria even after the collapse of the Alexander’s
Kingdom. Bactria was at first part of the eastern
section of Alexander's Kingdom, which was ruled
by the Seleucids. There was extensive
immigration of Greeks and the creation of Greek
cities. These cities were built on the Greek model
and included such pillars of Greek culture as
gymnasiums and amphitheatres. Later Bactria
asserted its independence and expanded its
holdings to the upper reaches of the Indus River
Valley. The Greek State in Bactria lasted for
another two centuries, until it was finally
overwhelmed by the nomadic tribesmen of the
area and was eventually absorbed into the
Kushan Empire.
- (SF.298)
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