Lands of Asia layouts (Eng) 26.11.21

part ii | states
ruled not only in Central Asia, but in other states of the East as well. These are the main
typologies of the organic structure of the dynasties that ruled in pre-Islamic Central
Asia. Now let us consider the typology and forms of state formations.
Types of early states in the territory of present-day Uzbekistan
1. Kingdoms with an absolute monarchy
In the ancient history of Uzbekistan there were several periods when it was part of a
kingdom ruled over by an absolute monarch.
From 539 BC to 330 BC, almost the entire territory of Transoxiana, with
the exception of Ferghana and Chach, was ruled by Persian Achaemenid kings.
This included Khorezm, Sogdia, Bactria and even the lands of the Sakas, which
constituted special administrative units or satrapies governed by satraps appointed
by the Achaemenid kings, and obliged to contribute to the state treasury.
Another absolute monarchy with a system of governors who enjoyed a certain
amount of independence was the Graeco-Bactrian kingdom. This kingdom was
established in the middle of the 3rd century BC and continued until the second half
of the 2nd century BC. During this period, Northern Bactria and, at certain points,
Sogdia, were also part of this kingdom. However, royal power in this state was not
always hereditary: its first kings, Diodotus I and Diodotus II were overthrown by
Euthydemus, who was not a blood relative.
From the end of the 4th century to the middle of the 3rd century BC, Northern
Bactria and Sogdia were part of another Greek kingdom – that of the Seleucids.
However, the second ruler of this dynasty, Antiochus I (281–261 BC), was half
Parthian kings.
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