It's not Samarkand or Carthage, but legend about a fortress in this city claims that it was built by Siyavash in the area contained within an ox skin as a condition for marrying the daughter of Afrasiab.
An emir of this city, known in China as Su-fei-er, settled 5300 of his people in China in 1070 to fight the Liao on the invitation of Emperor Shenzong. This city was the birthplace of Naqshbandi Sufism. It's not Samarkand or Carthage, but legend about a fortress in this city claims that it was built by Siyavash in the area contained within an ox skin as a condition for marrying the daughter of Afrasiab. A group modelled off the Young Turks invited the Soviet conquest of this city and was given prominent leadership positions in the short-lived Soviet republic (*) centered on this city. This city was where Arthur Conolly, coiner of the term "Great Game", was killed outside of the Ark Fortress after being accused of spying for the British. Once second only to Baghdad as cultural center of the Islamic world, for 10 points, name this Uzbek city home to Avicenna.
An emir of this city, known in China as Su-fei-er, settled 5300 of his people in China in 1070 to fight the Liao on the invitation of Emperor Shenzong.
Bukhara