The Parthian Empire which was established by the Arsacids was not simply one of many Eranian empires. The Parthian state introduced a new culture reaching from the Middle East to Indo-Parthia and Sogdia, which was global in scope and authoritative.
A Narrative by Varan
Edited and Enhanced by Pīroz
The Beginning
This was made possible by Aškān, who came from the Eranian nomadic tribe of Parni from Dehistan, the land of the Dahae confederacy. At the time of Aškān, southern Dehistan and adjacent southern provinces were under the control of the Seleucids, the successor state to Alexander’s empire. A relatively short time after the establishment of the Seleucids in the former empire of Alexander, a sub-tribe of the Dahae soon seized power in their domain.
Under the leadership of Aškān I, the Eranian tribe of the Parni succeeded in establishing their power in Parthava. Aškān I defeated Andragoras, who had seceded from the Seleucids, and conquered the province of Parthava. With his brother Tirdāt, they incorporated the territories from Vergana in the southeastern plain of the Caspian Sea to Aria, thus removing the entire reconquered area from Seleucid influence and control.
The Foundation
The year 247 BC finally heralded a historic turning point in the history of the Eranians and Parthians. The symbolic year marked the founding of the Arsacid Parthian Empire by Aškān I. The founding was marked with the coronation of Aškān I in Asaak (ars.parth. Aršak), and the lighting of the “immortal royal fire” in the city, the fire that would endure for well over half a millennium (Ellerbrock & Winkelmann 2012: p. 53). For with its existence from 247 BC to 224 AD, the empire maintained its place as the longest-lived of all Eranian empires, dynasties, and states.
Iconography
The reign of Aškān I was sealed by the printing of coins, which was the sign of sovereignty at that time. Interestingly, Aškān gave himself the title of the Mighty One, and not, as it was common in the early Eranian tradition, the King. “Krny” (Ellerbrock & Winkelmann 2012: p. 53) has a direct reference to the Eranian root “kar-” and “karen”, “karin”, “kirin”, and thus means ” mighty”, “strong”. The emphasis on the title as mighty indicates another Eranian tradition popular in the mythologization of first rulers. Contrary to the sacral legitimation used by the Achaemenids or Sasanids, for example, Aškān referred to his own achieved accomplishments. The modest character testifies to a recognition and high esteem of the career of the “simple” nomad who worked his way up to the ruler by his own strength through military skills (Wiesehöfer 1994: p. 182). Thus, his titling is also to be understood as a self-empowered man, who founded his own empire by his own doing. This saga about the real events around his figure certainly secured him the loyalty that led to the bonds with the Parthians in his own ranks and in other Eranian territories, which was ultimately responsible for the success for the following generations of the Arsacids.
List of References
Ellerbrock, U., Winkelmann, S. 2012. Die Parther – Die vergessene Grossmacht. Philipp von Zabern Verlag, Darmstadt.
Wiesehöfer, Josef. 1994. Das antike Persien. Von 550 v. Chr. bis 650 n.Chr., Artemis & Winkler, München.
