Sogdians in Their Homeland
Sogdians in Their Homeland
- Michael ShenkarMichael ShenkarThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem / Samarkand State University named after Sharof Rashidov
Summary
The Sogdians, an Iranian people who lived in present-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, played a leading role in commerce and cultural exchanges along the “Silk Roads” of the 1st millennium ce. They established settlements across a vast territory extending to northern China. Scholarship on the Sogdians has often viewed them as agents of other states and civilizations, frequently overlooking their rich culture and unique social and political structures. Sogdian civilization was shaped by constant and close contact with Eurasian nomads.
Throughout its history, Sogdiana was characterized by a “city-state culture” marked by three key features: colonization, developed trading networks, and self-governing civic communities. These communities, comprising affluent traders and traditional aristocracy, played essential roles in city governance. The full understanding of Sogdian culture emerges only when considering the fabric of Sogdian cities and their civic communities. The most famous and informative aspect of Sogdian culture is its unique art, which offers invaluable insights into the beliefs, religions, and cultural experiences of a broad spectrum of citizens, not just a small elite.
Keywords
Subjects
- Archaeology
- Art and Architecture
- Central Asia
