Civilization · Classical antiquity · Parthian Empire

Parthian Empire

247 BCE–224 CE

The Parthian Empire ruled Persia and Mesopotamia for nearly five centuries between the Greeks and the Sassanians. Its horse archers humiliated Rome at Carrhae. It fell to the Sassanian revolt in 224 CE.

Facts

Founded: 247 BCE, Arsaces I founded the dynasty.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Parthian Empire
Ended: 224 CE, overthrown by the Sassanian Ardashir I.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Parthian Empire
Heartland: Persia and Mesopotamia, capital Ctesiphon, in present day Iran and Iraq.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Parthian Empire
Major rulers: Mithridates I, who built the empire; Orodes II, whose general Surena destroyed the Romans at Carrhae.; Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Parthian Empire

Images

The ruins of Hatra, the desert city that defied Rome in the Parthian age. (Wikimedia Commons)

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