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Mö. II. Yüzyilda Doğu'Daki̇ Süper Güç: Parthlar

2021, Munzur Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi

Abstract

Although the Parthian State was founded by Arsaces in 239/238 BC, it became an Empire in 165/164 BC when Mithridates I came to power. The formation of the Empire in a very short time can be explained by several reasons. During the reigns of Mithridates the First and Mithridates the Second the Parthians greatly expanded their borders. With the decline of the Seleucid rule in Mesopotamia and Syria, the Parthians consolidated those areas and approached Armenia politically. This alliance later formed the basis of the Roman-Parthians wars because this expansion of the Parthians also attracted the attention of Rome. The conquest of Scythia territory by Parthians was referred to ancient sources as a power equivalent to Rome. Moreover, during the imperial period, the Parthians also stand out as the dominant political actor in the East. Even the Chinese Emperor Wu both signed an trade agreement with Mithridates the second and made an alliance against the Hsiung-nu danger. Therefore, the Parthians being the dominant power in Mesopotamia and Syria changed the destiny of many states in the Near East.