Choara/Thara (Ahuan)
A satellite photo can be found here.
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Choara/Thara (Ahuan) |
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Choara, a place in western Parthia somewhere between modern Ahuan and Qosheh, is the place where the last Achaemenid king of ancient Persia, Darius III Codomannus, was murdered by his own courtiers (July 330). He had been pursued by the Macedonian invader Alexander the Great and had already been taken prisoner by his own men near the Caspian Gate. This picture shows the Elburz mountains near Ahuan in the winter. | |
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From the place now known as Semnan, Alexander made a detour through the southern desert, the Dasht-e Kavir. Because he did not have to go through the mountains, his cavalry was faster than the Persians convoy. Early in the morning, the Persians saw a large dust cloud and knew what was going to happen. They murdered their own king, who was, according to our sources, found by one of Alexander's men, who gave him some water. There are several sources between Ahuan and Qosheh; this caravanserai is built near one of them. It may or may not have been the place of Darius' death. | |
| Choara is called Thara by Justin, which must be a corruption
of Choara. This town is mentioned by Ptolemy
of Alexandria, Pliny
the Elder, Strabo
of Amasia, and Isidore of Charax.
A satellite photo can be found here. |
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