PARTHIANS Meaning and
Definition
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The Parthians were an ancient Iranian people who established and ruled the Parthian Empire, also known as the Arsacid Empire. The term "Parthians" refers to both the people and their empire, which existed from 247 BC to 224 AD.
The Parthian Empire was one of the major powers of antiquity, spanning a vast region that included modern-day Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and parts of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan. The Parthians were known for their skilled equestrian warfare, particularly their ability to shoot arrows while riding horses backwards, which was highly effective against both foot soldiers and cavalry.
The Parthian Empire acted as a buffer between the Roman Empire to the west and the various Central Asian and steppe nomadic empires to the east. They engaged in frequent conflicts with the Romans, including a series of wars known as the Roman-Parthian Wars, which resulted in shifting territorial control in Mesopotamia and Armenia.
The Parthians were influenced by Persian and Hellenistic cultures, adopting elements from both. They maintained a feudal-like political system, ruled by a decentralized aristocracy headed by a king called the Arsaces or Arsacid. Although predominantly a monarchy, Parthia also had a parliamentary-style institution known as the "Great Assembly" or "Parthian council," where major decisions were made collectively.
Despite their eventual decline and fall to the growing Sassanian Empire, the Parthian Empire left a lasting impact on the history and culture of the ancient Near East. They were renowned for their military prowess, art, and architecture, leaving behind impressive palaces, fortresses, and cities, aimed at projecting their power and grandeur.
Common Misspellings for PARTHIANS
Etymology of PARTHIANS
The word "Parthians" refers to the people of Parthia, an ancient Iranian civilization that existed from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. The term "Parthians" originated from the name of their homeland, Parthia.
The etymology of the word "Parthia" is believed to have originated from the Old Persian language. The Old Persian word "Parthava" referred to the region and its people. This word was then adopted into Greek as "Parthyai" and later evolved into "Parthia" in Latin.
The etymology of the Old Persian word "Parthava" itself is uncertain. It is speculated that it might have derived from the Old Iranian word for "horse" or "horseman", as the Parthians were renowned for their skilled cavalry. However, this is not universally agreed upon, and the exact origin of the word remains speculative.
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