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Tapuri or Tapyri were a tribe in the Medes south of the Caspian Sea mentioned by Ptolemy and Arrian. Ctesias refers to the land of Tapuri between the two lands of Cadusii and Hyrcania.
The Tapuri or Tapyri were an ancient tribe located south of the Caspian Sea in what was then the Median Empire, mentioned by two prominent ancient writers, Ptolemy and Arrian. The ancient historian Ctesias indicates that the land of Tapuri was situated between the two separate lands of Cadusii and Hyrcania. The Tapuri were an interesting and culturally diverse people who would have greatly contributed to the region in its heyday.
The name and probable habitations of the Tapuri appear, at different periods of history, to have been extended along a wide space of country from Armenia to the eastern side of the Oxus. Strabo places them alongside the Caspian Gates and Rhagae, in Parthia or between the Derbices and Hyrcani or in company with the Amardi and other people along the southern shores of the Caspian; in which last view Curtius, Dionysius, and Pliny may be considered to coincide. Ptolemy in one place reckons them among the tribes of Media, and in another ascribes them to Margiana. Their name is written with some differences in different authors; thus Τάπουροι and Τάπυροι occur in Strabo; Tapuri in Pliny and Curtius; Τάπυρροι in Steph. B. sub voce There can be no doubt that the present district of Tabaristan derives its name from them. Aelian gives a peculiar description of the Tapuri who dwelt in Media.
Throughout history, the Tapuri’s wide territory stretched between Armenia, the Oxus, the Caspian Gates, Rhagae, Parthia, Derbices, Hyrcani, and Amardi. Strabo, Ptolemy, Curtius, Dionysius, and Pliny mention them to various degrees and spell the name slightly differently. There can be no doubt that the present Tabaristan gets its name from them. Aelian offered a unique description of the Tapuri in the region of Media, specifically.
The Amardi, in particular, appear to have served as important allies of the Tapuri as they appear in the sources in relation to them more than other tribes. They were likely drawn to the Tapuri because of the common enemy of the Derbices and Parthians who threatened their safety.
According to Ptolemy, two distinct tribes with the same name existed. The Tapuri tribe lived in the Medes south of the Caspian Sea, while the Tapurei were located in the land of the Scythians. Additionally, sources suggest that the Tapurei reached as far as the mountains of the land of Hyrcania. Both Ptolemy and the Encyclopaedia Iranica provide insight into the origin of these two separate tribes.
Ptolemy’s account suggests that the Tapuri were an Indo-European people, while the Tapurei had a more Eastern origin. This interpretation is consistent with the evidence provided by the Encyclopaedia Iranica, which notes that the Tapurei were probably a branch of the Proto-Indo-European Satem-speaking Iranian branch of the Scythians. The Tapurei are also said to have adopted a form of Iranian culture, hence their presence in the land of Hyrcania.
Some of the Tapur migrated from Parthyene to central parts of southern territories of Caspian Sea during kingdom of Phraates I when Parthian Empire became strong during Phraates I, he attacked to Amard (another Scythian tribe) and defeated them. Then he forced them to leave southern fringes of Caspian Sea and replaced them with Tapur people. After this event, ancient Tapuria was established. These Tapuri clan furnished 1,000 cavalry for the battle of Gaugamela as Achaemenid Empire Army.
Some of the Tapur were also known to be heavily involved in the military of the Phraates and his successors. During his reign, Phraates kept a large force of Tapur mercenaries to ensure his reign remained secure. With such fierce loyalty to their ruler, the Tapur previously known as pastoral nomads were seen as a dependable forces of support for the Parthian Empire.
According to Arrian, a group of Tapurs lived among the Hyrcanians and Amards during the Achaemenid and Alexander periods. Alexander obeyed the Tapurs and went to battle with Amard and defeated them. Alexander then annexed the land of Amard to the land of Tapur. Satrap Tapur was under Autophradates’s rule.
Before dying, Tapur’s Rubaeus asked Alexander to take care of the Tapurs while Autophradates had informed Alexander that the Tapurs were a brave but often unsteady nation. Alexander respected the Tapurs’ wishes for autonomy and honored Tapur’s Rubaeus’ request. He also set up governors in districts governed by the Tapurs and allowed them a degree of autonomy. Alexander left Autophradates in charge of Tapur’s Satrapie, and his successors continued to pay homage to the Tapur’s autonomy until their fall to the Seleucids in the 2nd century BC.
The Tapuri people of Tabarestan, Iran, are a tribal ethnic group which is still largely living in their ancestral homelands. They are a group in Iran – which has a diverse population – the Tapuri people have managed to keep their vibrant cultural identity alive throughout the ages. Their way of life revolves around traditional beliefs and customs, which are still widely practiced in their villages. Religion, tradition, and culture are all intertwined and deeply intertwined within Tapuri society. Many Tapuri are devoutly religious, following Islam and often incorporating local religious beliefs and rituals.
Tapuri villages are spread throughout Tabarestan, but many Tapuri live in the cities too. They dress in traditional clothes, with women wearing bright scarfs and veils while the men favor distinctive long robes. But these people often use modern and common clothes in their daily life.
Tapuri life revolves around its religion and culture. Their music reflects their Persian cultural influences, with songs about feasts, love, and merriment. It is said that in each Tapuri village, there is an individual who is well known for his or her storytelling abilities. On special occasions, these storytellers are invited to perform stories from their village’s folklore which brings together the entire community at night, illuminated by oil lamps and candles.
Generally speaking, the Tapuri people make a living off fishing and hunting, agriculture and horticulture, traditional crafts, such as pottery, textiles, and carpets. Most of these crafts are sold and traded in local markets or through a network of merchants that they have established. These local markets are recognized institutions of the Tapuri culture, where people gather to converse, socialize, and share stories of traditional wisdom with one another.
In addition to their traditional careers, Tapuri people are also very entrepreneurial and practice commerce. In some communities, people create and sell products from their own home-based businesses. Other enterprising individuals travel to nearby towns and cities to purchase merchandise such as food products, fabric, and handmade crafts, in bulk, which they then resell at a profit in the local markets. Furthermore, Tapuri people also frequently pool their resources and collaborate to support each other’s businesses and to purchase assets such as boats and other fishing equipment. This form of cooperation ensures the continuous improvement of the Tapuri economy.
It is clear that the Tapuri people have kept their culture and traditions alive through many generations, and continue to do so in the modern day. Through their diligence and every day life, the Tapuri prove to be a resilient and proud people.
