Ashkâniân (اشکانیان) Parthian Empire Empires of Persia ← 238 BC – 226 → Parthia at its greatest extent under Mithridates II (123–88 BC) Capital Hecatompylos 238 BC to Ecbatana 139 BC to Ctesiphon c. Middle Persian is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times (224-654 CE became a Prestige dialect The Seleucid Empire /sə'lusɪd/ ( 312 - 63 BC) was a Hellenistic empire i The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire Mithridates or Mithradates (in Greek, Mιθριδάτης or Mιθράδάτης) is the Hellenistic form of an Iranian Theophoric Year 88 BC was a year of the pre-Julian calendar. Events By place Rome The Social War ends with the defeat of the Italian Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national Capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist the capital was moved or the capital Hecatompylos was an ancient city in west Khurasan, Iran, which was the capital of the Parthian Arsacid dynasty by 200 BCE. Ecbatana ( Old Persian: Haŋgmatana, written Agbatana in Aeschylus and Herodotus, Agámtanu by Nabonidos For the Spanish saint see Ctesiphon of Vergium. Ctesiphon (قطسيفون تیسفون was one of the great cities of the Persian Empire 129 BC Language(s) Middle Iranian Religion Zoroastrianism Christianity Judaism Government Feudalist Monarchy Historical era Classical_antiquity  - Established 238 BC  - Overthrown 226

The Parthian Empire (238 BC - 226 AD) was the third Iranian kingdom to dominate Greater Iran in ancient times. A state religion (also called an official religion, established church or state church) is a religious body or Creed officially Zoroastrianism (ˌzɔroʊˈæstriəˌnɪzəm is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. Feudalism, a term first used in the early modern period (17th century in its most classic sense refers to a Medieval Europe Political system composed A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or Classical antiquity (also the classical era or classical period) is a broad term for a long period of cultural History centered on the Mediterranean Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran The Iranian people are a collection of Ethnic groups defined along linguistic lines as speaking Iranian languages. Greater Iran (in Irān-e Bozorg, or fa ایران‌زمین Irān-zamīn; the Encyclopedia Iranica uses the term Parthia itself was located south-east of the Caspian Sea, between the Kopet Dag mountains and the Dasht-e-Kavir desert. Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged Sea. The Kopet Dag, Köpet Dag ( Koppeh Dagh) is a Mountain range on the frontier between Turkmenistan and Iran, extending about 650 km Dasht-e Kavir (دشت كوير in Persian) also known as Kavir-e Namak or Great Salt Desert is a large desert lying in the middle ^[1] The empire was ruled by the Arsacid Dynasty, and at its height they controlled most of Armenia, Mesapotamia, Iran, and Afghanistan. Armenia (Հայաստան transliterated: Hayastan,) officially the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն Hayastani Mesopotamia (from the Greek meaning "land between the rivers" is an area geographically located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers largely corresponding For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت,

The Parthians were consummate horsemen, known for a military tactic called the Parthian shot. The Parthian shot was a military tactic employed by the Parthians, an ancient Iranian people. They are noted in western history for defeating the Greek Seleucid Empire and ending the Hellenization of Iran. The Seleucid Empire /sə'lusɪd/ ( 312 - 63 BC) was a Hellenistic empire i This article focuses on the cultural aspects of the Hellenistic age for the historical aspects see Hellenistic period. The Empire also became a rival state of the powerful Roman Empire. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial

Early history

See Also: Parni and Parthia (satrapy). Parthia (Old Persian Parthava before it became the Parthian Empire, was a Satrapy (province of the Achaemenid Empire.

The predecessors of the Parthians were an [Scythian language] tribe known as the Parni, who were part of the Dahae Confederacy. The Daheans or Dahaeans (Dahae Δάοι Daoi, or Δάαι Daai) were a confederacy of three tribes who lived in the region to the immediate east of the Ancient Assyrian texts mention a country named Partakka or Partukka in the seventh century BC. Early history The most Neolithic site in Assyria is at Tell Hassuna, the center of the Hassuna culture ^[1] At some point it was subjugated by the Medes, who were later overthrown in 550 BC by their Persian vassals, led Cyrus the Great. The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran. Events and trends Carthage conquers Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica. layout and formatting it should ensure no clashes with the top of the infobox

For the next two centuries the satrapy of Parthia was part of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Parthia (Old Persian Parthava before it became the Parthian Empire, was a Satrapy (province of the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of In 522 BC, Parthia joined King Phraortes of Media in a rebellion that was suppressed by Darius the Great^[1]. Events 529 BC — Cambyses II started to rule He is son of Cyrus II. Darius I the Great (c 549 BC&ndash486 BC 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎺𐎢𐏁 Dārayavahuš: "Possessing goodness" Having ascended to power amidst controversy and bloodshed They fought with King Darius III of Persia during the Battle of Gaugamela against the Macedonians led by Alexander the Great (October 1st, 331 BC). Darius III ( Artashata) (c 380&ndash330 BC Persian داریوش Dāriūš dɔːriˈuːʃ was the last king of the Achaemenid Empire of The Battle of Gaugamela (ˌgɔːgəˈmiːlə (Γαυγάμηλα took place in 331 BC between Alexander the Great of Macedonia and Darius III Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' They were commanded by Phrataphernes, who surrendered his satrapy to Alexander in the summer of 330. Phrataphernes was reappointed Satrap and also given control over Hyrcania in 323 BC. Hyrcania was the the name of a Satrapy located in the territories of present day Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan and part of Turkmenistan

After Alexander's death, his Argead dynasty controlled Parthia during the reigns of Philip III and Alexander IV. The Argead dynasty ( Ancient Greek:, the Argeads) was the ancient Greek ruling house of Macedon from about 700 Philip III may refer to Philip III of Macedon (c 359–317 BC Philip III of France (1245–1285 Philip III of Navarre Alexander IV may refer to Pope Alexander IV Alexander IV of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great After the empire's unity was shattered during the wars of the Diadochi, Parthia became part of the Seleucid Empire of Seleucus I Nicator. The Diadochi (plural of Latin Diadochus, from Greek Διάδοχοι, Diadokhoi, "successors" were the rival successors The Seleucid Empire /sə'lusɪd/ ( 312 - 63 BC) was a Hellenistic empire i Seleucus I (surnamed for later generations Nicator, Greek: Σέλευκος Νικάτωρ, i Around 245 BC, the Parthian Satrap Andragoras allied with Diodotus I of Bactria and revolted against the Seleucids to formed his own kingdom. Not to be mistaken for Andragoras, a satrap of Alexander from 331 BCE also in the area of Parthia Diodotus, Seleucid Satrap of Bactria, rebelled against Antiochus II (about 255 BC and became the founder of the Graeco-Bactrian kingdom

Founding an Empire

Meanwhile the Parni tribe elected Arsaces I to be their leader. Arsaces I of Parthia (B ??? BC R ca 250 BC - 246 or 211 BC D 246 or 211 BC was the leader of the Parni, who became the King of Parthia and founded the Arsacid Dynasty Under pressure from the Bactrians, the Parni sought refuge in Parthia, where Arsaces killed Andragoras and became King in 238 BC. According to Arrian, Arsaces was then killed and was succeeded by his brother; however modern historians believe that he ruled Parthia until 211 BC, when he was succeeded by his son Arsaces II.

According to Justin, "He (Arsaces) was used to a life of pillage and theft, when he heard about the defeat of Seleucus against the Gauls. Relieved from his fear of the king, he attacked the Parthians with a band of thieves, vanquished their prefect Andragoras, and, after having killed him took the power over the nation" Justin, xli. 4.

Coin of Mithridates I (R. Mithridates I (B 195 BC? D 138 BC was the "Great King" of Parthia from ca 171-138 BC). The reverse shows Heracles, and the inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ ΑΡΣΑΚΟΥ ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ (Great King Arsaces, friend of the Greeks)

In 209 BC, Antiochus the Great invaded Parthia during his campaign to restore the Seleucid Empire's eastern territories. In Greek mythology, Heracles or Herakles ("glory of Hera " or Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Events By place Roman Republic The Romans under Fabius Maximus Cunctator capture Tarentum (modern Taranto Antiochus III the Great, ( Greek; ca 241&ndash187 BC ruled 222&ndash187 BC younger son of Seleucus II Callinicus Antiochus occupied Parthia's capital at Hecatompylus, then pushed into Hyrcania before King Arsaces II recognized Seleucid authority. With Parthia secured, Antiochus moved against the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom and fought King Euthydemus I for 3 years before securing peace. The Gr(aeco-Bactrian Kingdom was the easternmost part of the Hellenistic world covering Bactria and Sogdiana in Central Asia from 250 Euthydemus I was allegedly a native of Magnesia and possible Satrap of Sogdiana, who overturned the dynasty of Diodotus of Bactria and became Antiochus concluded his eastern campaign with an expedition into India. Soon afterwards Antiochus was defeated by the Romans, which severely weakened the Seleucids and allowed Parthia to maintain its freedom from the Seleucids. Arsaces II died in 191 BC and was succeeded by Phriapatius. Events By place Roman Republic The Romans under Manius Acilius Glabrio and Cato the Elder cut the Seleucid Phriapatius (or Priapatius) ruled the Parthian Empire from 191 BC to 176 BC

In 171 BC, King Phraates I subdued the Mardi tribe, but was killed in battle against Scythians nomads. Events By place Greece Epirus joins Macedonia in the latter's fight against Rome. Phraates I of Parthia son of Phriapatius (191 BC&ndash171 BC ruled the Parthian Empire from 176 BC to 171 BC The Scythians or Scyths (Σκύθες Σκύθοι were an Iranian speaking people of horse-riding Nomadic pastoralists who dominated the Pontic His brother Mithridates I survived the battle and became one of Parthia's greatest Kings. Mithridates I (B 195 BC? D 138 BC was the "Great King" of Parthia from ca Profiting from the continuing erosion of the Seleucid Empire, Mithridates captured Herat in 167 BC, which disrupted the trade routest to India and effectively split the Hellenistic world into two parts. area3018 sq mi Herāt ( classically called the Aria, is a city in western Afghanistan, in the province also known as Herāt.

The Seleucid monarchs resisted Parthian expansion as best as they could; Antiochus IV Epiphanes spent his last years campaigning against the newly emerging Iranian states. Another Antiochus IV Epiphanes was king in Commagene under Caligula and Claudius. After initial successes in Armenia, his sudden death in 164 BC allowed the Parthians to take advantage of the ensuing dynastic squabbles to make even greater gains.

Golden Age of Parthia

The Parthian Empire and its sub-kingdoms in 001 AD

In 139 BC, the Parthian king Mithridates I captured the Seleucid monarch Demetrius II Nicator, holding him captive for ten years while Parthian troops overwhelmed Mesopotamia and Media.

By 129 BC, the Parthians were in control of the lands east of the Tigris river, and established a winter encampment at Ctesiphon, downstream from modern Baghdad. For the Spanish saint see Ctesiphon of Vergium. Ctesiphon (قطسيفون تیسفون was one of the great cities of the Persian Empire Ctesiphon was then a small suburb directly across the river from Seleucia on the Tigris, the most Hellenistic city of western Asia. Because of their need of the wealth and trade provided by Seleucia, the Parthian armies limited their incursions to harassment, allowing the city to preserve its independence. In the heat of the Mesopotamian summer, the Parthian army would withdraw to the ancient Persian capitals of Susa and Ecbatana (modern Hamadan).

From around 130 BC, the Parthians suffered numerous incursions by Scythian nomads (also called the Tocharians from Bactria, possibly the Yuezhi), in which kings Phraates II and Artabanus I were successively killed. Scythians again invaded Parthia around 90 BC, putting king Sanatruces on the Parthian throne.

After the conquests of Media, Assyria, Babylonia and Elam, the Parthians had to organize their empire. The former elites of these countries were Greek, and the new rulers had to adapt to their customs if they wanted their rule to last. As a result, the cities retained their ancient rights and civil administrations remained more or less undisturbed. An interesting detail is coinage: legends were written in the Greek alphabet, a practice that continued until the 2nd century AD, when local knowledge of the language was in decline and few people knew how to read or write the Greek alphabet.

Another source of inspiration was the Achaemenid dynasty that had once ruled the Persian Empire. Courtiers spoke Persian and used the Pahlavi script; the royal court traveled from capital to capital, and the Arsacid kings styled themselves "king of kings". It was an apt title, as in addition to his own kingdom the Parthian monarch was the overlord of some eighteen vassal kings, such as the rulers of the city state Hatra, the kingdom of Characene and the ancient kingdom of Armenia.

Decline

The empire was, overall, not very centralized. There were several languages, many people, and a number of different economic systems. The loose ties between the separate parts of the empire were a key to its survival. In the 2nd century AD, the most important capital, Ctesiphon, was captured no less than three times by the Romans (in 116, 165 and 198), but the empire survived because there were other centers of power. On the other hand, the fact that the empire was a mere conglomeration of kingdoms, provinces and city-states did at times seriously weaken the Parthian state. This was a major factor in the halt of the Parthian expansion after the conquests of Mesopotamia and Persia.

Local potentates played important roles, and the king had to respect their privileges. Several noble families had votes in the Royal council; the House of Suren had the right to crown the Parthian king, and every aristocrat was allowed and expected to retain an army of his own. When the throne was occupied by a weak ruler, divisions among the nobility became dangerous.

The constituent parts of the empire were surprisingly independent. For example, they were allowed to strike their own coins, a privilege which in antiquity was very rare. As long as the local elite paid tribute to the Parthian king, there was little interference. The system worked well: towns such as Ctesiphon, Seleucia, Ecbatana, Rhagae, Hecatompylos, Nisâ, and Susa flourished.

Tribute was one source of royal income; another was tolls. Parthia controlled the Silk Road, the trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and China.

References