---
title: Oxus
author: Antoine Simonin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Oxus/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Oxus

_Authored by [Antoine Simonin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Deathfinger/)_

The Oxus is a river, today called Amu Darya in its western part and Wakhsh in its eastern parts, which flows for a length of 2400 km across modern Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan into Lake Aral. In Ancient times it crossed the regions Fergana, [Bactria](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bactria/), Oxeiana, [Sogdiana](https://www.worldhistory.org/sogdiana/) and Khiva. 
 
The Oxus and the [Iaxartes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Iaxartes/) are called twin rivers, because of their same destination, almost similar trajectories and because they both are thankless rivers, naturally irrigating only very few areas through which they flow. However, like the Iaxartes, the Oxus allowed large-scale irrigation systems which was the main reason of its area's rich history. 
 
The Oxus was the nucleus of the successive Bactrian civilizations and kingdoms. The river was the borderline between the Persian satrapy of Sogdiana northward and Bactria southward, whereas the western part belongs to nomads. Several [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) were founded here, mostly known under their [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) names, like Alexandreia Oxeiana (actual Termez). 
 
[Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) came across the river three times between 329 and 327 BC. Later, the Eastern part of the Oxus was the nucleus of the [Greco-Bactrian kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greco-Bactria/), whereas the western part, especially the Khiva Oasis, was the land of the Parni, who later became the Parthians invading the [Seleucid empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/).

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Passionate about ancient Central Asia. Maintains the website From Bactria to Taxila. Works in the Europa Barbarorum project.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-simonin/52/685/a9a/e)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Simonin, A. (2011, April 28). Oxus. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Oxus/>
### Chicago
Simonin, Antoine. "Oxus." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 28, 2011. <https://www.worldhistory.org/Oxus/>.
### MLA
Simonin, Antoine. "Oxus." *World History Encyclopedia*, 28 Apr 2011, <https://www.worldhistory.org/Oxus/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Antoine Simonin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/Deathfinger/ "User Page: Antoine Simonin"), published on 28 April 2011. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.