in 334. A Nestorian diocese, based in the city of Merv, is known to have existed from 424 AD, and it later became a metropolitan province in 554. The uncommon name of the first recorded bishop of Merv, Bar Shaba, which means "son of the deportation", would suggest that the Christian community in Margiana may have been deported from Roman territory. A diocese of Merw i-Rud in southern Margiana also existed in 554. See also Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex History of Turkmenistan References Sources Strabo (1924). H. L. Jones, ed. Geography. States and territories established in the 3rd century BC States and territories disestablished in the 7th century Empires and kingdoms of Iran Seleucid Empire Parthian Empire Provinces of the Sasanian Empire 651 disestablishments Iranian countries and territories