Watched an interesting documentary on these folks, had never heard of them before that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sogdiana

(Wudi, sorry to see that you have demoted from Emperor to Moderator over the years... )

What I found interesting is that evidence has been found throughout China of Sogdian enclaves in dozens of cities and towns. That and it appears they introduced the concept of horizontal weaving (allow the creation of much more complex patterns in the brocade) to the Chinese silk industry.

Sadly it appears they were taken out by a series of "peaceful" campaigns by Islamic Arabs (just being politically correct and all ).

---

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw

They were well documented (and only documented) by the Chinese...We know them well. They have the famed blood horses.

-------------------------------------------------

I have heard of the Sogdian rock in that region, Alexander took them over, interesting battle.

The sogdians retreated to a high mountain rock hiltop believed to be inpenetrable from its northen cliff face, Alexander offered them to surrender, the reply was "go find soldiers who can fly"

300 men volunteered to scale it at night about 30 died climbing it, they waved down at dawn, Alexander sent a message up "I have found the soldiers" they surrendered soon after.

Anyone interested in Alexander i recommend the award winning bbc documentary by Michael Wood -In the footsteps of Alexander.

They are many great Iranic tribes who were known as great Horsemen.

Scythians
Sogdians
Saka
Parthians
Alans


Har Doshmani ke Dashtim, Hich Kudumishun be Zure Ma Narisidand!

The most famous Sogdian was An-lu Shan who commanded the T'ang northeastern frontier army. He took this army and turned it against the empire (just like Caesar to Rome did with the army of Gaul.)

It caused a bloody 8-year rebellion that eventually led to the T'ang's downfall.

-------------------------------------------------