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The History of Parthian Empire: Iran's Silk Road superpower: from Arsaces I to Mithridates I, Parthia's rise between the Seleucids, Rome, and Han China
The Parthian Empire was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Iran. Arsaces I of Parthia, a leader of the Parni tribe, founded the country in the mid-3rd century BC when he conquered the region of Parthia in Iran's northeast, then a province in rebellion against the Seleucid Empire. Mithridates I of Parthia greatly expanded the empire by seizing Media and Mesopotamia from the Seleucids. At its height, the Parthian Empire stretched from the northern reaches of the Euphrates, in what is now central-eastern Turkey, to eastern Iran. The empire, located on the Silk Road trade route between the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean Basin and the Han Empire of China, became a center of trade and commerce.
- GenresHistory
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2018
19 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
George Rawlinson
805 books11 followersCanon George Rawlinson (23 November 1812 – 7 October 1902) was a 19th century English scholar, historian, and Christian theologian. He was born at Chadlington, Oxfordshire, and was the younger brother of Sir Henry Rawlinson.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 24, 2019
Dated, but useful.
A good introduction to history of the Parthian Empire, which took over from the Macedonian Seleucid empire and reinvigorated the civilization of Syria-Mesopotamian region. Though the author’s characterization of the empire shows the prejudice of the time, when the Western civilization’s superiority was widely assumed and asserted, his narrative is comprehensive, and, by citing ancient sources, is very helpful for anyone who wishes to pursue the history of the Parthians further. Inevitably, we can only know about Parthia in the context of its turbulent relations with Rome. Illustration is also intriguing and interesting, as, we are not very familiar with archaeological finds from this era. But I think this was written before the major excavation of Ctesiphon, so there isn’t much about this ancient capital, which is a pity.
A good introduction to history of the Parthian Empire, which took over from the Macedonian Seleucid empire and reinvigorated the civilization of Syria-Mesopotamian region. Though the author’s characterization of the empire shows the prejudice of the time, when the Western civilization’s superiority was widely assumed and asserted, his narrative is comprehensive, and, by citing ancient sources, is very helpful for anyone who wishes to pursue the history of the Parthians further. Inevitably, we can only know about Parthia in the context of its turbulent relations with Rome. Illustration is also intriguing and interesting, as, we are not very familiar with archaeological finds from this era. But I think this was written before the major excavation of Ctesiphon, so there isn’t much about this ancient capital, which is a pity.
Displaying 1 of 1 review