Parthian Arsacid Empire
Arsacid Dynasty: 238 BC - 224AD
Parthian Empire: The Beginning, during Arsaces I
Ashkanid (Arsacid) Emperors' title was "Ashk". Each emperor was also known by his title of "Ashk". For instance Arsaces I was officially "Ashk I" or Ashk The First, and then came Ashk II, Ashk III and so on...This is the Map of Parthia under Arsaces I, founder of the Arsacid dynasty. Parthia was originally a part of the Seleucid Empire, which was one of the successor realms to Alexander's huge empire. The Seleucid Empire began to slowly disintegrate during the 3rd century BC, first with the secession of Bactria under Diodotus I in the 250s, and then Parthia under Arsaces I. The Seleucid Empire remained the gravest threat to Parthian independence until the middle of the 2nd century BC, despite wars with Bactria and invading tribes from the north and east.

Parthian Empire: Greatest Extent during Mithradates II
Map of Parthia at its greatest extent during the 1st century BC, after the conquests of Mithradates II, but not including the temporary gains of Pacorus I under Orodes II.

Parthian Empire: Parthian Economy and Trade Routes
Economic map of the region during Parthian times, showing trades routes. The major trade routes during most of the period from 300 BC up to 300 AD are shown in red on this map. The Parthians derived much of their power and nearly all of their wealth from their ability to control these trade routes. Trade was encouraged and facilitated by the Parthians through direct control and policing of the routes, maintaining the roads, and maintaining relations with their neighbors to the east and west as best as possible. The Parthians were very careful to maintain their position as middlemen in the trade network; they did their best to prevent any direct contact between the west and either India or China. The Romans did eventually establish direct trade with India during the 1st century AD through the Red Sea.

Parthian Empire: Parthian Sub-kingdoms
Map of the major subkingdoms of the Parthian Empire. The Parthian Empire included a number of subkingdoms ruled by their own native dynasties. These kingdoms were located on the peripheries of the empire and acted as buffers between the areas of direct Parthian control and the rest of the world. The general policy of the Arsacids was to maintain direct control over the Parthian homeland and the main trade routes between the East and West, thus ensuring recruits for their army and income from tolls and tariffs. The subkingdoms were allowed to keep their semi-autonomous status in return for loyalty to the Parthian king of kings (Shahanshah), military support when requested, and tribute. Needless to say this was not always forthcoming and there were numerous campaigns to ensure the proper subservience of the various subkingdoms, some of which maintained a virtually independent status for fairly long periods, particularly during the numerous civil wars between rival Arsacid claimants to the Parthian throne. Many of the subkingdoms eventually ended up with Arsacid dynasties, most notably Armenia. Several of the kingdoms had their own coinage, independent of the Parthians. Little is known about most of the subkingdoms, and most of what is known is derived from these subsidiary coinages.

Parthian Empire: Parthian Archeological Mints
Map of the known locations of Parthian mints. This is the map of the Parthian mints, Ecbatana is by far the most commonly found on the drachms, mainly because the symbol for Ecbatana became frozen as part of the reverse design of the drachm, regardless of where it was minted. Thus, from the later half of the first century AD onwards, the mint monogram of Ecbatana became a standard element in the design of the Parthian drachms. One mint that is not represented on the map is the travelling court mint, or katastrateia, which accompanied the Parthian rulers during their campaigns.

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