Short answers, pulled from the story.
Researchers at the Institute of Archaeology date the city's founding around 700 BC. Human activity in the region dates back to the late Paleolithic Era with evidence found from 40,000 years ago.
Alexander the Great conquered Samarkand in 329 BC when it was known as Markanda. Greek sources rendered this name differently but preserved its identity as a major urban center under Hellenic influence.
Genghis Khan conscripted 30,000 young men along with 30,000 craftsmen after pillaging the city completely. Juvayni writes that he killed all who took refuge in the citadel and the mosque.
Timur made Samarkand his capital in 1370 after a revolt against Chagatai Mongol control occurred in 1365. He rebuilt most of the city over the next 35 years while populating it with great artisans from across the empire.
The 2500th anniversary of Samarkand was widely celebrated in 1970 on the initiative of Academician Ibrohim Mo'minov. A monument to Ulugh Beg was opened and a Museum of the History of Samarkand was founded during this celebration.