← Explore on the interactive map

Merv Oasis City

Type Object Region Central Asia Time c. 1–500

Merv (ancient Margiana), in an oasis of the Murghab River basin, was one of Central Asia's most important ancient cities, commanding a key point on t…

Timeline

  1. c. 1–224Merv · MervUnder the Parthian Empire Merv was an important provincial center in the east; a network of irrigation canals supported agriculture, and Silk Road caravans gathered and dispersed goods and information here.
  2. c. 224–400Merv · MervDuring the Sasanian period Merv continued to expand its walls and religious buildings, becoming an administrative and military stronghold of the empire's east, resisting nomadic raids from the north.
  3. c. 400–500Merv · MervIn the early 5th century Hephthalite forces controlled the Merv area; amid the alternation of nomadic and settled regimes the city maintained its role as a trade hub linking north–south traffic in Central Asia.

Sources