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Parthian Empire

Middle East & Central AsiaHeartland today: Iran

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Ruled by the Arsacid dynasty from about 247 BCE, Parthia took Mesopotamia from the Seleucids, made Ctesiphon its capital and fought Rome for centuries. It ended in 224 CE, when Ardashir overthrew Artabanus IV.

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Key events

  1. Arsaces I founds the Arsacid dynasty in Parthia after the local Seleucid governor rebelsDisputed

    247 BCE is the conventional date. Livius places the Parni takeover of Parthia between 245 and 238 BCE.

  2. Mithridates I takes Babylonia from the Seleucids, then Seleucia on the TigrisDisputed

    Livius dates Babylonia to April to June 141 BCE and Seleucia to July 141 BCE. World History Encyclopedia puts Seleucia a few years earlier.

  3. – Ctesiphon, beside Seleucia on the Tigris, becomes the royal capital under Orodes IIDisputed

    Livius says Ctesiphon was founded as a new city beside Seleucia after 141 BCE. When it became the main capital is not fixed; World History Encyclopedia gives 58 to 57 BCE.

  4. A Parthian army under Surena defeats the Roman general Crassus near Carrhae and takes his legion standards
  5. Rome and Parthia agree a peace treaty under Augustus and Phraates IV

    Livius credits Tiberius with negotiating the treaty on Augustus's behalf; World History Encyclopedia credits Augustus. Both date it to 20 BCE.

  6. Trajan takes Ctesiphon, but Hadrian gives up the conquered Mesopotamian provinces the next year
  7. Ardashir, a Persian vassal king, defeats the last Arsacid king, Artabanus IV, ending Parthian ruleDisputed

    Sources date Ardashir's victory to 224 CE. Livius has him take Ctesiphon in 226.