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BACTRIANS (Βάκτριοι, οἱ)

REBECCA FUTO KENNEDY

Denison University

Peoples residing along with the AEGLIANS in the twelfth provincial district of the Persian Empire (in modern Afghanistan) under DARIUS I (3.92.2). The Bactrians were best‐known to Herodotus for their prowess in battle, their CAVALRY in particular. They first appear in extant written sources in the BISITUN inscription (DB §6), where the SATRAP of Bactria was said by Darius to have put down the revolt of Frâda of Margiana (DB §38). They were among the “best” troops selected by MARDONIUS to remain with him in Greece after the Persian defeat at SALAMIS in 480 BCE (8.113.2). At the Battle of PLATAEA in 479, they were stationed next to the MEDES (9.31.3).

According to Herodotus, the Bactrians along with the Aeglians paid 360 TALENTS in annual TRIBUTE, a large sum compared with other districts in the empire. On the east stair of the great Apadana at PERSEPOLIS, the Bactrians are pictured escorting a double‐humped CAMEL and carrying ointments (Kuhrt 2007, 523). Herodotus describes their attire as Median in style (7.64), a description supported by the images on the Apadana relief. This consistent pairing with, and noted similarity to, the Medes in both Herodotus and Persian sources suggests a strong or long‐standing affinity between the two peoples, though the Bactrians are also linked frequently with the SACAE, whom the Persians and Greeks placed north of the Bactrians. Bactria was also the place whither those in opposition to the king (or, later, to Alexander), retreated to raise revolt, suggesting a streak of independence, WEALTH, and military strength.