Sogdiāna
(
Σογδυανή: Persian, Sogd). Comprising parts of Turkestan
and Bokhara. The northeast province of the ancient Persian Empire, separated on the south from
Bactriana and Margiana by the upper course of the Oxus (Jihoun); on the east and north from
Scythia by the Sogdii Comedarum and Oscii Mountains (Kara-Dagh, Alatan, and Ak Tagh) and by
the upper course of the Iaxartes (Sihoun), and bounded on the northwest by
the great deserts east of the Sea of Aral. The natives of the country were of the Aryan race,
resembling the Bactrians in their customs (Arrian,
Anab. iii. 30; iv. 16
Anab., 18).