Parthia Hellenistic period

coin of phraates iv hellenistic titles such euergetes, epiphanes , philhellene (admirer of greeks)

parthia north-eastern iranian satrapy of achaemenid empire later passed on alexander s empire. under seleucids, parthia governed various greek satraps such nicanor , philip. in 247 bc, following death of antiochus ii theos, andragoras, seleucid governor of parthia, proclaimed independence , began minting coins showing himself wearing royal diadem , claiming kingship. ruled until 238 bc when arsaces, leader of parni tribe conquered parthia, killing andragoras , inaugurating arsacid dynasty. antiochus iii recaptured arsacid controlled territory in 209 bc arsaces ii. arsaces ii sued peace , became vassal of seleucids. not until reign of phraates (168–165 bc), arsacids again begin assert independence.

during reign of mithridates of parthia, arsacid control expanded include herat (in 167 bc), babylonia (in 144 bc), media (in 141 bc), persia (in 139 bc), , large parts of syria (in 110s bc). seleucid–parthian wars continued seleucids invaded mesopotamia under antiochus vii sidetes (r. 138–129 bc), killed parthian counterattack. after fall of seleucid dynasty, parthians fought against neighbouring rome in roman–parthian wars (66 bc – 217 ad). abundant traces of hellenism continued under parthian empire. parthians used greek own parthian language (though lesser greek) languages of administration , used greek drachmas coinage. enjoyed greek theater, , greek art influenced parthian art. parthians continued worshipping greek gods syncretized iranian deities. rulers established ruler cults in manner of hellenistic kings , used hellenistic royal epithets.