Parthia

Once a Seleucid satrapy, Parthia managed to gain independence when the Seleucids were distracted by pressure from Ptolemaic Egypt. Under a new Persian noble ruler Arsaces of the Parni, Parthia is a country built from tribal fiefdoms. It has also been influenced and shaped by successive waves of invaders and settlers, and now blends Persian, Hellenistic and local cultures into a single, Parthian, whole. Parthia’s religions, for example, include veneration of Greek and Iranian Gods, and Zoroastrianism.

A class of land-holding nobles has emerged, and trade along the routes to the east has brought great wealth.

Parthia is famed for its horses and horsemen; their archery skills are also rightly feared, if only for the deadly feigned retreat of the “Parthian Shot”, taken while apparently galloping away from a foe. Heavy cavalry in their distinctive scale armour are also rightly feared by enemies. Greek-influenced phalanxes and the many hill tribes form the bulk of Parthian infantry forces.

The rulers of Parthia now have opportunity before them: their former masters, the Seleucids, are ready to fall, and so is neighbouring Bactria. Who can say where such conquests may lead?