Numerous associations of learned men have, within a comparatively modern date, been formed for the purpose of adding to our knowledge of Eastern countries in the various departments of science and literature. The oldest society of this kind was founded by the Dutch in Batavia. Its transactions, published at Batavia from 1780 to 1833, form 15 volumes. The next was the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded at Calcutta in 1784 by Sir William Jones. Its transactions from 1788 to 1832 appeared under the title of Asiatic Researches, and afterwards as the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, to which the accomplished editor Mr Princep contributed his researches in Indo-Bactrian and Persian numismatics.

In 1823, the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was established at London by Mr Colebrooke, assisted by Ouseley, Staunton, Wynn, and other eminent orientalists. The literary societies of Bombay and Madras were subsequently incorporated as branches of this society. Since 1833, its transactions have been published in the society's journal, published quarterly, of which vol. xiii. appeared in 1852. To this journal Major Rawlinson has contributed his valuable researches on the ancient cuneiform inscriptions of Persia. This society possesses a valuable library and museum. Connected with it is the Oriental Translation Committee, instituted in 1828, which has published versions in English, French, and Latin, of many valuable oriental works, as well as several original texts.

The Société Asiatique of Paris was founded in 1822, by the distinguished oriental scholars Silvestre de Sacy, Abel-Rémusat, Saint Martin, Chézy, Klajroth, Degerando, &c. Its transactions appeared monthly under the title of Journal Asiatique, until January 1828, when it took the name of Nouveau Journal Asiatique. This society has published many important works. It holds an annual public meeting, and has a good museum. An oriental institution, with chairs of Oriental languages and a museum, is supported at St Petersburg by the government. In Germany there is the Deutsche Morgenländische Gesellschaft, of the journal of which 6 vols. have appeared at Leipzig. The Zeitschrift für die Kunde des Morgenlandes, begun at Göttingen in 1837, is now edited at Bonn, by the eminent orientalist Lassen. The labours of German orientalists have also found a place in the well-known collection entitled Mines de l'Orient.

The American Oriental Society issues a journal, of which 2 vols. have appeared. ASIARCHÆ (termed by St Paul, Chief of Asia, Acts xix. 31) were the Pagan pontiffs of Asia, chosen to superintend the public games, which they did at their own expense. They were always persons of high consideration.