Åaka
Quick Summary
The Saka were nomadic peoples who historically inhabited the steppelands north of the Iranian plateau. They are also known as the Shakas in Indian literature and are associated with the Scythians, an early western people of Central Asia. The Scythians, who spoke an Iranian language, created one of the first known Central Asian empires and were skilled in metallurgy and art.123
The Saka people penetrated northwestern India during the 1st century BCE. In India, two dynasties of rulers known as the Shakas, or Kshatrapas, governed with significant independence. The Saka language, a Middle Iranian language, was spoken by Saka tribes in northwestern China.234
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IndiaCentral Asian rulersā¦in Indian sources as the Shakas (who established the Shaka satrap). They had attacked the kingdom of Bactria and subsequently moved into India. The determination of the Han rulers of China to keep the Central Asian nomadic tribes (the Xiongnu, Wu-sun, and Yuezhi) out of China forced these tribes inā¦
Read Moreā¦in Indian sources as the Shakas (who established the Shaka satrap). They had attacked the kingdom of Bactria and subsequently moved into India. The determination of the Han rulers of China to keep the Central Asian nomadic tribes (the Xiongnu, Wu-sun, and Yuezhi) out of China forced these tribes inā¦
Read More- IndiaThe Andhras and their successors
ā¦the northern Deccan by the Shakas and resettled in Andhra. In the 2nd century ce the Satavahanas reestablished their power in the northwestern Deccan, as evidenced by Shaka coins from this region overstruck with the name Gautamiputra Shatakarni. That the Andhras did not control Malava and Ujjain is clear fromā¦
Read Moreā¦the northern Deccan by the Shakas and resettled in Andhra. In the 2nd century ce the Satavahanas reestablished their power in the northwestern Deccan, as evidenced by Shaka coins from this region overstruck with the name Gautamiputra Shatakarni. That the Andhras did not control Malava and Ujjain is clear fromā¦
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ancient IranPhraates IIā¦VII, he called on the Åaka nomads to the north of his frontiers for aid, promising them payment. The reinforcements arrived too late to be of use; he sent them back, which provoked them to revolt and pillage the countryside. The Greek prisoners drafted by Phraates into his army participatedā¦
Read Moreā¦VII, he called on the Åaka nomads to the north of his frontiers for aid, promising them payment. The reinforcements arrived too late to be of use; he sent them back, which provoked them to revolt and pillage the countryside. The Greek prisoners drafted by Phraates into his army participatedā¦
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- Mithradates II
ā¦had been overrun by invading Åaka nomads during his fatherās reign. In the west he conquered Mesopotamia and defeated the Armenian king Artavasdes, whose son Tigranes (later Tigranes II) became a Parthian hostage and was redeemed only for the cession of 70 valleys. One of the most successful of theā¦
Read Moreā¦had been overrun by invading Åaka nomads during his fatherās reign. In the west he conquered Mesopotamia and defeated the Armenian king Artavasdes, whose son Tigranes (later Tigranes II) became a Parthian hostage and was redeemed only for the cession of 70 valleys. One of the most successful of theā¦
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Phraates IIā¦two powerful nomadic tribes, the Åakas and the Tocharoi, had forced their way into eastern Persia. Phraates advanced against them, pressing into service Greek prisoners from the army of Antiochus, but when the Greeks deserted him in battle, Phraates was defeated and slain. He was succeeded by his uncle Artabanusā¦
Read Moreā¦two powerful nomadic tribes, the Åakas and the Tocharoi, had forced their way into eastern Persia. Phraates advanced against them, pressing into service Greek prisoners from the army of Antiochus, but when the Greeks deserted him in battle, Phraates was defeated and slain. He was succeeded by his uncle Artabanusā¦
Read More- Vologeses I
ā¦by the nomadic Dahae and Åakas, a rebellion of the Hyrcanians, an invasion by Alani tribesmen in Media and Armenia, and the usurpation of his son Vardanes II. Vologesesā reign was also marked by a decided reaction against Hellenism; he built Vologesias near Ctesiphon with the intention of drawing toā¦
Read Moreā¦by the nomadic Dahae and Åakas, a rebellion of the Hyrcanians, an invasion by Alani tribesmen in Media and Armenia, and the usurpation of his son Vardanes II. Vologesesā reign was also marked by a decided reaction against Hellenism; he built Vologesias near Ctesiphon with the intention of drawing toā¦
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