04-22-2017, 02:22 AM
Derbend/Derbent derives from Persian darband or closed gate, pass or gateway. There was another Derbent pass which was also a narrow pass and city situated between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus and is one is one of a few candidates for the mythical “Gates of Alexander” along with the Darial Pass, Gorgan and Rhagae, although the Darial which was further west and was a mountain pass which was known as the “Gate of the Alans” and was a well trodden invasion route for steppe invaders. Kirli is Turkish for dirty so I assume the modern name has an Ottoman origin. Military or constabulary units established for guarding these roads, passes or bridges and collecting local taxes were called Dervendjis. 
Regards
Michael Kerr
Regards
Michael Kerr
Michael Kerr
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
"You can conquer an empire from the back of a horse but you can't rule it from one"
