مجله دوربین دانشنامه هرات، ادبی، فرهنگی، هنری و اجتماعی 
Herat dates back to ancient times, but its exact age remains unknown. During the period of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550-330 BC), the surrounding district was known as Haraiva (in Old Persian), and in classical sources the region was correspondingly known as Aria.
Herodotus described Herat as the bread-basket of Central Asia. At the time of Alexander the Great in 330 BC, Aria was obviously an important district.
In late 330 BC, Alexander captured the Arian capital that was called Artacoana. The town was rebuilt and the citadel was constructed. Afghanistan became part of the Seleucid Empire after Alexander died, which formed an alliance with the Indian Maury Empire.
In the last two centuries of Sasanian rule, Aria (Herat) had great strategic importance in the endless wars between the Sasanians, the Chionites and the Hephthalites who had been settled in the northern section of Afghanistan since the late 4th century.
Abu Muslim Khorasani was the first person who declared the independence of Herat from Arabs. Following that Herat city was ruled by Tahirid, Safavid, Ghaznavid, Ghorid, Seljuq and Timurid dynasties.
In the past it was said: “Khorasan is an ocean and Herat is its pearl.”
