ABSTRACT

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.

chapter 1|12 pages

The Parthian Empire

A first approach

chapter 2|9 pages

History of the great empires in Iran

chapter 3|49 pages

History of the Parthian Empire

chapter 4|32 pages

The structure of the Parthian Empire

chapter 8|23 pages

Trade and business in the Parthian Empire

chapter 9|32 pages

Insights into social life in Parthia

chapter 10|41 pages

Parthian art: art in the Arsacid kingdom

chapter 11|44 pages

The Parthian Empire and its religions