PARTHIAN PERIOD

PARTHIAN PERIOD
(C. 238 B.C.–A.D. 224)
   Parthia was the region in northern Iran where Indo-European nomads from Central Asia began to settle in the mid-first millennium B.C. This area was then controlled by the Achaemenid empire. They began to form their own kingdom in the Seleucid period, when Arsaces, a leader of the Parni tribe, founded the Arsacid Dynasty around 238 B.C. He profited from the rebellions in Parthia and Bactria against the rule of Seleucus II and assumed control over most of central Iran, with a new capital at Dara. Arsaces’successors enlarged the Parthian territory eastward to the Indus and westward to the Euphrates. Mithridates I(reigned 171–c. 139 B.C.) annexed Mesopotamia in 141, occupying Babylonand Seleucia. Having ousted the Seleucids, the Parthians remained in Mesopotamia while the region west of the Euphrates was under Roman control. They became wealthy due to the trade of luxury items along the Silk Road to China. This northern route contributed to the economic marginalization of southern Mesopotamia.
   The Parthians established a new capital in Mesopotamia, Ctesiphon on the Tigris, which was destroyed by Trajan in A.D. 116. Thereafter, their power declined, and Sassanians established a new dynasty in A.D. 224.

Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia. . 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Parthian language —       Middle Iranian language that originated in the ancient province of Parthia (the northeastern portion of modern Iran) and became the official language of the Arsacid period of Persian dynastic history (2nd century BC–3rd century AD). Among… …   Universalium

  • Parthian style (Iranian architecture) — The Parthian style (شیوه معماری پارتی) is a style ( sabk ) of historical Iranian architecture. This style of architecture includes designs from the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid eras, reaching its apex of development by the Sassanid… …   Wikipedia

  • Indo-Parthian Kingdom — Infobox Former Country native name = conventional long name = Indo Parthian Kingdom common name = Indo Parthian Kingdom continent = Asia region = country = era = Antiquity status = event start = Gondophares declares independence from Parthian… …   Wikipedia

  • Roman–Parthian War of 58–63 — Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Roman–Parthian war over Armenia caption= partof=the Roman–Parthian Wars date= 58–63 AD place=Armenia territory=minor gains for the Roman client states result=Arsacids established on Armenian throne as Roman… …   Wikipedia

  • DIASPORA – SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD — During the period of the Second Temple, Jewish history was mainly concentrated in Ereẓ Israel. Whatever may or may not have been the relative population figures inside and outside the country, the main currents which were subsequently to shape… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Seven Parthian clans — The Seven Parthian clans or Seven Houses (in Persian Haft Khandan ) were seven purportedly Parthian feudal aristocracies allied with the Sassanid court.Only two of the seven the House of Suren and the House of Karen are actually attested in… …   Wikipedia

  • Hellenistic period — This article focuses on the historical aspects of the Hellenistic age; for the cultural aspects see Hellenistic civilisation. The Hellenistic period describes the era which followed the conquests of Alexander the Great. During this time, Greek… …   Wikipedia

  • Mesopotamia, history of — ▪ historical region, Asia Introduction  history of the region in southwestern Asia where the world s earliest civilization developed. The name comes from a Greek word meaning “between rivers,” referring to the land between the Tigris and… …   Universalium

  • Iranian pottery — Pottery vessel, fourth millennium B.C. The Sialk collection of Tehran s National Museum of Iran …   Wikipedia

  • Sassanid Empire — Infobox Former Country native name = Eranshahr ساسانیان conventional long name = Sassanid Empire common name = Sassanid Empire national motto = continent = Asia region = Persia country = Iran era = status = government type = Monarchy year start …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”