Choara

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Choara (Latin; from Ancient Greek: Χόαρα Khóara, from Old Iranian *huṷăra- or *xṷăra-) was a town or village recorded by Greek authors, and was probably the center of the district Choarene.

Variants

• Choara (Pliny.vi.17)
• Choarene

Jat Gotras Namesake

• Chova = Choara (Pliny.vi.17)

History

The "Choarene" mentioned by Strabo refers to this town, not the district. It was part of the region Media, until the rise of the Arsacids who incorporated it to Parthia. The Hellenistic city of Apameia was also located in the Choarene district.

This place-name is probably related to Khuwār (Persian: خوار) mentioned by Muslim geographers, located in the Qumis region along the Great Khorasan (Iran) Road, and the modern district of Khāvar, with its center being Arādān.

Mention by Pliny

Pliny mentions 'Media and the Caspian Gates'....On the other side⁸ of these gates (Caspian Gates) we come to the deserts⁹ of Parthia and the mountain chain of Cithenus; and after that, the most pleasant locality of all Parthia, Choara¹⁰ by name. Here were two cities of the Parthians, built in former times for their protection against the people of Media, Calliope,¹¹ and Issatis, the last of which stood formerly¹² on a rock. Hecatompylos,¹³ the capital of Parthia, is distant from the Caspian Gates one hundred and thirty-three miles. In such an effectual manner is the kingdom of Parthia shut out by these passes.

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8 To the south-east of them.

9 Mentioned in c. 29 of the present Book.

10 Or Choarene.

11 Its site is unknown; but it is mentioned by Appian as one of the many towns erected by Seleucus.

12 By the use of the word "quondam," he implies that in his time it was in ruins.

13 A place of considerable importance, which seems to have derived its name from its "hundred gates." It was one of the capitals of the Arsacidan princes; but, extensive though it may have been, there is great doubt where it was situate, the distance recorded by ancient writers not corresponding with any known ruins.