Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 professor of history /Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz/ Iran

2 Associated professor of history/Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz/ Iran.

3 M.A in History, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, /Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
In the Parthian era, the lords and nobles were the most influential persons in the government. They enjoyed certain privileges in the court and were the members of council of nobles or royal associations where they often made selection and dismissal of the kings. While in the early years of Parthian empire, the kings had been supported by the lords and nobles and power was absolutely stronger than that of noble and high-ranking people, they gained more power as the Parthian domains were expanding new territories were conquered. The influence of increasingly empowered nobles was obviously revealed when the Parthian government was collapsing and the nobles begun to appoint or remove the kings. The substantial question of this study is that what the role had the Parthian’s nobilities played in dismissal and appointment of kings from the beginning of Parthian ruling ( 247 . A.C) by the end of Artabanus II (3- 11 / 10 c)’s rule? This essay shows that in that moment of history king was in power. But when the government was in weakness, it prepared the ground for nobilities and council associations to get involve in dismissal and appointment of kings. This study, by using descriptive – analytical method and various sources, will deal with the role of nobilities in selecting the Parthian’s kings from early ruling up to death of Artabanus II.

Keywords

Bivar. A.DH (2010), “Iran Political History in the Parthian Era”: from Seleucids to Overthrow of Sassanid Rule. Cambridge University Research, Compiled by Ehsan Yarshter, Translated by Hasssan Anoosheh, volume 3, Part 1, Tehran, Imirkabir Press, pp. 123-200
 Brosius. Maria (2009), Ancient Persia, translatedby Isa Abdi, Tehran, Mahi Press
Christensen, Arthur Emanuel (1995) “Sassanid Persia”, Translated by Rashid Yassami, Tehran: Donyaye-e-Ketab Press
Colledge. Malcom (2009), “The Parthian”, Translated by Masoud Rajabnia , Tehran: Hirmand Press
Diakonoff. Igor M (1987), “The Parthian”, Translated by Karim Kashavarz, Tehran, Payam Press
DuBois. Nelsonm, (1963),“The Political History of Parthian Iran” Translated by Ali ASghar Hakmat, Tehran, Avicenna Library Press
Farshid. Naderi (2018), “The foundations and Origins of King Legacy in the Parthian period” Scientific & Cultural Quarterly of Iranian and Islamic History-Alzahra University, 28th years, issue 39-129  ,fall, pp107-131.  
Frye. Richard N (2010), “Iranian Political History in Sassanid Era: from Seleucids to Fall of Sassanid Government” Cambridge University, Compiled by Ehsan Yarshater, Translated by Hassan Anoosheh, volume 3, part1, Tehran: Amirkabir Press, pp217-276
Frye. Richard N(2007), “The Heritage of Persia” Translated by Masoud Rajabnia, Tehran: Scientific & Cultural  Press.
Gottesmid. Alfredman (2000), “The History of Iran and its Neighboring Countries From Alexander to the Extinction of the Parthians”, Translated by Kaykavous Jahandari, Tehran: Ghoghnous Press.
Jalilian, Shahram (2018),  Conflict and Conquest with the King in the Sassanid Period (From Sasanian Rise to King Qobad I), Quarterly of Research Technology, Esfahan University, 54th year, New Period, tenth year, Frist year Issue 37, pp 203-227
Khan Moradi. Mojgan (2017), Royal Dynasty's Women in Parthian Era, Scientific and Enquiry Quarterly of Iranian and Islamic History, Alzahra University , 27th year, new period , issue 126, pp 40-60
Lukonin. Vladimir, “Political, Social, Administrative Institutions of Iran: From  Secludes to Overthrow of Sassanid”, Cambridge University Research, Complied by Ehsan Yarshater, Translated by Hassan Anoosheh, Volume 3, Part 1, Tehrasn: Amirkabir Press (2010), pp 71-148
Oryan, Saeed,(1997), “Guidance of Middle Iranian's Inscriptions (Parthian-Pahlavi)”,Tehran, Cultural Organization Press
Plutarch (1967), life of Noble Greeks and Romans, Translated by Reza Mashayekhi, Volume 3, Institute of Translation and Books Press.
Pyguloskaya. Nina Viktorovna (1985), Iranian cities in Parthian and Sassanid times Translated by Enayatollah Reza, Tehran , Scientific &Cultural  Press.
Schippmann. Klaus (1995), "Foundation of Parthian History, Translated byHooshang Sadeghi, Tehran: Frouzanfar Press.
Shakorifar. Maliheh, Nasrallahzadeh, Syrous (2016), “Following-up the Iranian's Traditions in the Parthian's Coins”, Historical Essays, Humanities and Cultural Studies Institution, Seventh year, first issue of  spring and summer, pp 21-45.
Wedengren. Geo (2012), Feudalism in Ancient Persian, Translated by Hooshang Sadeghi, Tehran: Ame Book Press.
Wiesehofer. Josef (1998), Ancient Persia: (from 550 BC to 650AD), Translated by Morteza Thaghebfar, Tehran: Ghoghnous Press.
Wiesehofer. Josef (2009), Iranians, Greeks and Romans: A look to Cultural Trade-off among Iranian and Greeks and Romans, Translated by Jamshid Arjmand, Tehran: Farzan-e-Rooz Press.
Woleski. jozef (2004), “Parthian Kingship” Translated by Morteza thaghebfar, Tehran: Ghoghnous Press.
Yarshater. Ehsan (2010), “Iranian History: from Seleucids to Fall of Sassanid Government” Cambridge University, Compiled by Ehsan Yarshater, Translated by Hassan Anoosheh, volume 3, part1, Tehran: Amirkabir Press, pp.1-85.
Zarinkoob. Roozbeh, (2014), Parthian and Old Iranian Traditions: Adherence and Non-adherence to the Traditions and Cultural Legacies, Historical Esssays, fifth year. Second issue, Fall and Winter , pp. 41-63
 
References [In English]:
Cassius. Dio (1957), Dio’s Roman History. with English Translation by Earnest cary. on the Basis of Herbert Baldwin. London. William Heinemann, cambridge. Massachusetts. Harvard University press.
Dabrowa. Edward (2013), “The parthian Aristocracy: Its social position and political Activity” , parthica, 15. pp. 53-62.
Dabrowa. Edward (2017), “Tacitus on the Parthian”, Electrum, Vol. 24. pp. 171-189.
Deblois, Francois and Willem Vogelsang. (1993), “ Dahea II. the people”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Edited by Ehsan Yarshater, Mazda Publisher. Costamesa, California. Vol. VI, pp . 581-582.
Fry. N. R, (1985), “Andragoras”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. II. edited by Ehsan yarshater . Routledage kegan paul. London. Boston and Henely. P. 26.
Gignoux. Philippe (1993), “Court and courties II. in the Parthian and sassanian periods”. Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. VI, California. Pp. 359-361.
Harmatta. János, (1957), “the Parthian Parchment from Dura-Europos”, Akademiai Kiado. pp. 30-47.
Josephus. Flavius (1934), Antiquities of the Jews, translated by William Whiston. Brigham Yong University, New York.
Justinus. Marcus Juniannus (1994), Epitome of the philippic History of pompeius Trogus, Translated by J. C. Yardley, with Introduction and Explanatory Notes by R. Develine, The American philogical Associal Resourcess, scholars Atlanta. Ga.
Lecoq. P, (1986), “Aprana”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. II. Edited by Ehsan Yarshater. Routledge Kegan Paul. London. Boston and Henely. p. 151.
Neusner. Jacob (1963), “ Parthian political Ideology ”, Iranica Antique, 30. pp. 60-66.
Schippmann. Klaus (1986 a), “Arsacid II .the Arsacid Dynasty”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. II . Edited by Ehsan yarshater . Routledage kegan paul. London. Boston and Henely. pp . 525-536.
Schippmann. Klaus (1986 b), “Artabanus” , Encyclopaedia Iranica . Vol . II . Edited by Ehsan yarshater . Routledage kegan  paul . London . Boston and Henely. pp. 647-650.
Shaki . Mansour (1991), “class system III . In the Parthian and sasanian periods”, Encyclopaedia Iranica. Vol. V, California , 6. pp. 652-658.
Strabo (1928), The Geography of Strabo, With an English Translation by Horace Leonard Jones London, William Heinemann, cambridge, Massachusett. Horvard university press.
Strugnell. Emma (2008), “The musa, Roman Queen of parthia ”, Iranica Antiqua, 43. pp .275-298.
Tacitus. Cornelius (2004), The Annals. translated with Introduction and Notes by A. J. Woodman, Hackett publishing compang. Inc, Indianapolis/ combridge.
Wiesehöfer. Jozef (1996), “King of kings and  philhellen kingship in Arsacid Iran”, In p. Bilde. T. Engberg- pedersen . Aspects of Hellenistic king ship, Aarhus. pp. 55-66.
 Wolski. Jozef (1965), “Le rôle et L’importance des Mercenaires dans L’état parthe , Iranica Antique, 5. 1965.pp. 103-115.
Wolski. Jozef (1967), “L’aristocratie parthe et les commencements du Féodalisme en  Iran”, Iranica Antique, 7. pp. 134-144.
Wolski. Jozef (1981), “L’aristocratie fonciére­ et L’organisation  de L’arme parthe”, Kilo. 63. pp. 105-112.