Quote Originally Posted by Ellesthyan
extremely interesting story, Teleklos. Though the site where it is seems a little... overinterested in mythical places. It does beg the question wether there are no Indian sources on Bactria? Apparently they've bashed at least the north west of India quite and should've left some impression. White colored, powerful troops from such a backward place as Bactria would have been noticed, I think, by the Indians.
Frank Holt, the guy who wrote the article, is the most trustworthy source that has yet written on Baktria (IMHO). He's done a lot to break down the myths of Baktria without constructing something else that's imaginary. Mostly a numismatist. The part about India and their impression there is very interesting, but virtually nothing survives in the climate (stone being an exception) and outside of oral history that was later transcribed and word of mouth that reached the greeks (Plutarch knew of Menander-the great Baktrian-Indian king, but didn't write a history of his life), there is little to go on. Maybe some archaeology will help clear it up one day, but it will always remain obscure. A century or so after arriving, the Baktrians were mostly absorbed into Indian culture as a whole. Art historians have had a blast with stone sculptures though and some big controversies have occurred over greek influence on early indian sculptures of Buddha and other religious themes. I highly recommend Holt's book "Thundering Zeus", even Tarn's or Sidky's histories of Baktria if you can't get Holt.