parthians Summary and Overview

were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:9). Parthia lay on the east of Media and south of Hyrcania, which separated it from the Caspian Sea. It corresponded with the western half of the modern Khorasan, and now forms a part of Persia.

This name occurs only in #Ac 2:9| where it designates Jews settled in Parthia. Parthia proper was the region stretching along the southern flank of the mountains which separate the great Persian desert from the desert of Kharesm. It lay south of Hyrcania, east of Media and north of Sagartia. The ancient Parthians are called a "Scythic" race, and probably belonged to the great Turanian family. After being subject in succession to the Persians and the Seleucidae, they revolted in B.C. 256. and under Arsaces succeeded in establishing their independence. Parthia, in the mind of the writer of the Acts, would designate this empire, which extended from India to the Tigris and from the Chorasmian desert to the shores of the Southern Ocean; hence the prominent position of the name Parthians in the list of those prevent at Pentecost. Parthia was a power almost rivalling Rome --the only existing power which had tried its strength against Rome and not been worsted in the encounter. The Parthian dominion lasted for nearly five centuries, commencing in the third century before and terminating in the third century after our era. The Parthians spoke the Persian language.

PAR'THIANS , inhabitants of Parthia, were at Jerusalem during the Pentecost. Acts 2:9. They spoke the Persian language, so that, in Scripture and other ancient writing, "Persia" and "Parthia" are often used interchangeably. Coming from the ruins of the Persian empire, they were a powerful enemy to the Romans, whom they defeated at Carrhae (Haran). Under Mithridates I. their cavalry and bowmen were very expert, and dangerous to an opposing army. They were accustomed to shoot their arrows while at full speed. They possessed, also, considerable knowledge of architecture and art. But it is for their remarkable skill in archery that they are now remembered, and for a long time they were Rome's formidable rival in the East.

Acts 2:9; Parthians, i.e. Jews settled in Parthia. Parthia proper lay S. of Hyreania, E. of Media; but in the apostles' time the Parthian empire stretched from India to the Tigris and from the Kharesm desert to the southern ocean. Arsaces (256 B.C.), revolting from the Seleucid successors of Alexander the Great, founded it. Rising out of the ruins of the Persian empire it was the only power that Rome dreaded, the Roman Crassus having been defeated by Parthians at Carrhae (Haran). Selencia was a chief city, also Hecatompylon. Ecbatana was their kings' summer residence. Mithridates I ruled from the Indian Koosh to the Euphrates. Horsemen and bowmen were their chief force, expert in terribly injuring any enemy who durst follow them in flight. In A.D. 226 the last Arsacid yielded the kingdom to the Persians revolting under Artaxerxes. They were Scythic Tatars of the Turanian race. The arch at Tackt-i-Bostan shows they were not unskillful in art.