Alexandria in the Caucasus

Alexandria in the Caucasus is the name given to a Hellenistic city founded by Alexander the Great in the eastern Afghan highlands after his campaigns in the late 4th century BCE; the site is associated with the area near modern Bagram in Kapisa Province.

Archaeological work at the site has revealed fortifications, urban remains and finds such as Hellenistic coins and ceramics that attest to Greek-style occupation and long-distance connections; the site later became part of successive regional polities during the Hellenistic and post-Hellenistic periods.

The city was established as a regional administrative and military centre in Alexander’s program of founding cities across his empire and subsequently saw continued use and adaptation by successor states.

Geographically the ruins lie in Kapisa Province near Bagram, north of Kabul in the eastern Hindu Kush fringe; the Bagram area is the nearest modern reference point for access.

• Hellenistic foundation: The site is one of several cities founded or refounded by Alexander the Great in the eastern provinces after his campaigns in the 4th century BCE.
• Archaeological finds: Excavations have produced Hellenistic-period artefacts including coins and ceramics that document Greek cultural and economic links in the region.

What to See #

• Bagram archaeological site: The archaeological sector commonly identified with the site lies near modern Bagram (Kapisa Province) and contains foundations, fortifications and artefact assemblages from Hellenistic-period occupations.