The Parthians. The Forgotten Empire

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the history and culture of the Parthian Empire, which existed for almost 500 years from 247 BC to 224 AD. The Parthians were Rome’s great opponents in the east, but comparatively little is known about them. The Parthians focuses on the rise, expansion, flowering and decline of the Parthian Empire and covers both the wars with the Romans in the west and the nomads in the east. Sources include the small amount from the Empire itself, as well as those from outside the Parthian world, such as Greek, Roman and Chinese documents. Ellerbrock also explores the Parthian military, social history, religions, art, architecture and numismatics, all supported by a great number of images and maps. The Parthians is an invaluable resource for those studying the Ancient Near East during the period of the Parthian Empire, as well as for more general readers interested in this era. Table of Contents List of figures List of tables Foreword Glossary of historic place names I. The Parthian Empire: A First Approach II. History of the Great Empires in Iran III. History of the Parthian Empire III.1. Phase 1: The development from a Seleucid vassal state to the Parthian Empire: from Arsaces I to Phraates I (c. 247-171 BC) III.2. Phase 2: Expansion of the Parthian Empire: from Mithradates I to Darius of Media Atropatene (c. 171-70 BC) III.3. Phase 3: Parthia as Great Power: from Phraates III to Vonones II (c. 70 BC – c. 51 AD) III.4. Phase 4: Phases of stability – inner turmoil – decline of the Parthian Empire: from Vologases I (ca. 51 – 79 AD) to Artabanus IV (c. 216 – 224 AD) III.5. Ardashir I and the newly founded Sasanian Empire III.6. The end of the Parthian Empire - reasons for the downfall IV. The Structure of the Parthian Empire IV.1. The king IV.2. The nobility IV.3. The Parthian army – standing army - Parthian Shot IV.4. Administrative structure of the Empire IV.5. Parthian Queens and marriage policy V. Vassal States and Kingdoms under Parthian Influence VI. The Parthian Empire and the Peoples of Eurasia VII. Cities and Architecture in the Parthian Empire VII.1. Structure and architecture of the Cities VII.2. Cities in the homeland of the Parthians and in Iran VII.3. Cities in Syria and Mesopotamia VIII. Trade and Business in the Parthian Empire IX. Insights into Social Life in Parthia X. Parthian Art: Art in the Arsacid Kingdom XI. The Parthian Empire and its Religions XI.1. General information to Zoroastrianism and the Avesta XI.2. Iconography of Parthian coins - references to the Zoroastrian faith XI.3. Manichaeism - religion with Parthian origins XI.4. Mithraism XI.5. Judaism in Parthia XI.6. Christianity in Parthia: the proselytizing by the Apostle Thomas Bibliography Recommended websites ...