A Parthian Campaign Suggestion

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi guys, I have been avidly playing a Seleucid campaign for one month now and I have enjoyed every single moment of it. Sadly, however, Parthia only posed me a problem at the start of the game by sending out two full stacks at the same time to siege my two border cities and then they, after I overpowered their stacks, unfortunately, just vanished. They have not attacked anybody for seventy turns now and they unfortunately don't appear to have trained any troops. So I must suggest that Parthia gets a little bit of a boost to help it conquer the Selucids. This could be through weakening those border provinces' happiness so that they rebel to Parthia and by giving them more trade buildings at the start enabling them to get more riches and wealth from their small part of the world. I am sorry to bother you with this irritating suggestion, but I hope that you can implement this in a future release.

[Teleklos Archelaou]

The parthians are going to undergo the biggest changes for a faction that we have left in store for EB1. It won't happen in 0.81 though. We're giving them more spies to help cause problems in Seleucid areas near their borders, but that's pretty much it (besides helping fix their capital city - though those changes might not make it in time). We will go into greater detail about this at a later time though, but doing a lot more work on their situation now and progression now might be wasted with the changes that will come about later.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

That's brilliant, just a few spies would probably give them a larger chance of their historical eastern domination and getting their great empire. Thanks for the quick reply and good luck with 0.8.1.

[kambiz]

Some notifications on "Pahlava" (Ashlanian) faction.

I supposed it's better to do not open another thread and use a current one to notify somethings on this faction :

Pahlava's faction leader title ,which is "Shahrdar" in the mod ,but it must be "Shâhanshâh" as it was historically (Mithridates I chose this title for the first time).

Pahlava's character names ,Which are the greekized version of the original iranian names.I suggest you to use true parsi names ,For example :

"Mithridates" should be changed to "Mehrdad" ,
"Phraates" -> "Farhad" ,
"Artabanus" -> "Ardavan" ,
"Achaemenes" -> "Hakhamanesh" ,
"Cyrus" -> "Kurush" and ...

also many iranian (Parthian) names have been forggoten to added. I expect you to at least add the king's names like :
"Orodes" -> "Orod" ,"Tiridates" -> "Tirdad" ,"Vardanes" -> "Vardan" ,"Vologases" -> "Belash" and ...etc.
Maybe "the Persian Cataphract" can help you better on both of them.

Thanks a lot
-Kambiz

[The Persian Cataphract]

Dear Cambyses, we have been working a lot on the Pahlavân faction, and while your suggestions are highly welcome, without giving too much information, you are a little late with this. Don't worry about the names, they should be the least of your worries as we speak :2thumbsup:

As for Shahrdâr, it is a correct designation for pettier kings. The Parthian Empire, in all effect being a confederacy governed by Seven great clans of the Dahâë (Haftzandân or the later Haft-Khandân the basis of the Sassanid system of magnates or vuzurgân). The city of Hatra had a Shahrdâr, for example. Vassal kings are also "Shahrdâr" because the norm back then for pettier kings was the measuring of how many cities were in possession, an idea consistent with Isidore's (Of Charax) "Parthian Stations" where a rudimentary division of satrapies were responsible for the local construction and maintenance of the caravanseries (Karawânsarâï). The greater King, the emperor, King of Kings, whatever you call him, had a different designation. "Arsaces" was the epithet, hereditary to the great sovereign, and to the head of the Ashkânî Royal clan. The common name for king was "sah", pronounced "shâh", but like I said, it was the common designation for king. In parthian society, a king was not merely a king. Shahrdâr is more flexible in the sense that it is used to measure power, influence and wealth, through amount of cities, satrapies and one thing that greatly influenced parthian society was the importance of what clan you originated from. Hence why we use "Shahrdâr", dearest Cambyses. We could use "Shâh", as a suffix to designate the Kûshân (Kûshânshâh, for example, king of the Kushans), Hayasdan or the Sakaë (Sakâshâh) but "Shâhanshâh" is reserved for the big chief. Very rarely, Parthia was a unified nation, and usually the King of Kings being nothing more than the puppet of the strongest clan.

[BozosLiveHere]

I thought we reserved Shâhanshâh for after the pahlava complete the Shâhanshâh event. I could probably figure out a way to switch the FL title after that happens.

[The Persian Cataphract]

Well, you are right Bozos, however considering the humble start of the Pahlavân which was nothing more than a confederacy, let alone a centralized kingdom, the successful campaign would explain how the Pahlavân kings became King of Kings, sovereigns over several nationalities.

[fallen851]

What is wrong with the Pathian Capital?

Buggy or historical problems?

[kambiz]

Ba Dorood "Savar'e Parsi" ~:)
I know all you said about parthian faction leader.Well I suppose it's a matter of how to look at it.When I hear about "faction leader title" ,I consider it as the formal way of calling a faction leader. That's right that common people just called them "shâh" or ashkanian faction leaders were not that powerful to be considered as a real King of kings ,However "Shâhanshâh" was thier formal title and especially foreigners like Romans knew them like this ,For example :
At the reign of "Phraataces" (Parsi : "Farhadak") when caeser"Augoust" calls him just in name ,it made him annoyed and in his letter to august in return ,"Phraataces" call himself "Shâhanshâh" (King of kings).
Also in roman records ,Ashkanian kings have been called as "King of Kings".

In regard of the character names ,i think it should not be so difficult and doesn't need long time to be done.
Anuways ,these are my suggestions.

-Kambiz

[The Persian Cataphract]

Dear Cambyses, I think you misunderstood me. My point was that Shâhanshâh is a title that we in the team intended to use from the very first beginning, to designate the greatest of kings, the lord of the shahrdârs. Let me demonstrate it in this way:

Shâhigânê Vuzurgân = Shâhigânê Zand = Shahrdâr (Leader of a specific clan's lesser magnates = leader of the clan = Owner of cities)

Shâhanshâh = Basileos Arsakoi = Arsaces = Shâhigânê Shahrdârân (King of Kings = King of Arsacids, the royal clan = The regal epithet of Arsaces = Shâh of the "city-owners")

I hope this clarified :2thumbsup:

[kambiz]

Hey guys;
@"the persian cataphract" in Fingilish
Dorst'e man ,Rastesh man akhar nafahmidam shomaha mikhahid che kar konid:dizzy2: (Engilisye man albate kheili bade) Amma hadafe man yad avari bod ke kardim ,Baghyash ba shomast.

@EB team
-Some other thing I had forggoten to mention.
Both "Pahlava Shivatir" and "Azad Asavaran" have wrong model ,because they carry bow on their models (!?) which should be corrected.

-"Grivpavar"(Parthian General bodygourd unit) don't use thier swords after the initial charge.

-Is it possible to add "Camel Cataphract" for Pahlavians? As you know "Artabanus IV" (Ardavan IV or V) used them in the last successful Pahlava attack on romans.I know this case was the only one has been recorded ,but it also gives Pahlava's (Mostly horsed based) unit roster some variety~;)

Thank you so mutch for attention & Be vizhe sepasgozaram az "Savar'e Parsi"
-Kambiz

[The Persian Cataphract]

Bleh... Double post.

[The Persian Cataphract]

Hey guys;
@"the persian cataphract" in Fingilish
Dorst'e man ,Rastesh man akhar nafahmidam shomaha mikhahid che kar konid:dizzy2: (Engilisye man albate kheili bade) Amma hadafe man yad avari bod ke kardim ,Baghyash ba shomast.

@EB team
-Some other thing I had forggoten to mention.
Both "Pahlava Shivatir" and "Azad Asavaran" have wrong model ,because they carry bow on their models (!?) which should be corrected.

-"Grivpavar"(Parthian General bodygourd unit) don't use thier swords after the initial charge.

-Is it possible to add "Camel Cataphract" for Pahlavians? As you know "Artabanus IV" (Ardavan IV or V) used them in the last successful Pahlava attack on romans.I know this case was the only one has been recorded ,but it also gives Pahlava's (Mostly horsed based) unit roster some variety~;)

Thank you so mutch for attention & Be vizhe sepasgozaram az "Savar'e Parsi"
-Kambiz

Kambiz jân,

Bebinid, be yê Shahrdâr mâ mitunim begim "Shâh", vali mozûë mâ ast kê emperâtûre Ashkânihâ eyne mesle Hakhâmenshiân bûde dige. Yedûne keshvar nabûd ke mâ faghad mitunestim begim "Êrânshahr", na, mesle Hakhâmaneshiân ba sisteme "Shatrapân" estefâdeh kardan. Keshvarânê/Shatrapânê Armenistân va Kûshânshahr va Sakastânâ ke Shâhegâne khudeshun dashtan, mage na? Hame az inâ Keshvarân, bâ Shâheshân... Hame tike az emperâtûriyê Êrânshahr budan, va hame Shâhegân (Shahrdârân), ye Shâhê vuzurg dâshtan, yê Shâheshâhân. Be in migim "Shâhanshâh". Shâhê az hame Êrânshahr! Mehrdâd II ye Shâhanshâh bûd, bekhatere kê Shâh-sâlârê Shâhânê Armenihâ, va Hendihâë Arachosiyâ va Îrânihâë Mâdîyân va Pârsiyân, va Elâmiyân bûd, vali Arshâk, Shâhê aval az Ashkânihâ, hanûz faghad Sâlârê Zand-i Pârnî, ye mîhanê kûchî, mesle Bakhtiârân, bûde.

Âlân fahmidi, azizam? Kheyli sharmandê, bekhâtere "Fengilisië" man ye zarrê eftezâh ast, mesle Fârsië ketâbî :help:



-"Grivpavar"(Parthian General bodygourd unit) don't use thier swords after the initial charge.

You need to alt-switch your weapon. After you charge with your lance, double-rightclick again, but this time do this while holding down the alt-key.


-Is it possible to add "Camel Cataphract" for Pahlavians? As you know "Artabanus IV" (Ardavan IV or V) used them in the last successful Pahlava attack on romans.I know this case was the only one has been recorded ,but it also gives Pahlava's (Mostly horsed based) unit roster some variety

Oh dear... This was me nearly a year ago, before I joined EB. I too suggested a cataphracted camel unit of the Hatrene model, however this was scrapped. The cataphracts gave Artabanus his victory against Macrinus, and Trajan's failed siege of the Parthian city of Hatra would of course add to this, but this was before I learned that the mod does not extend this far into the time-frame, I'm afraid :no:

Bâ sepâs.

[scannerfish]

If you can say anything , what is in the works for our Parthian friends ? More cavalry ? A decent piece of Native Infantry ? The return of cavalry that can bring the soft touch of Parthianization with there axe?

[The Persian Cataphract]

Y halo thar, scannerfish :2thumbsup:

I can't tell you the specifics, but there is plenty on the store for the Pahlavân. We had this discussion before in GameFAQs, so again, patience my friend, patience.

[russia almighty]

You didn't hear this from me but the Parthians are going to get Cossack dragoons imported from the 19th century , complete with repeating rifles and kickass sabers .

[kambiz]

Ba Dorood (Hi) ;
@"The Persian Cataphract"
Bale fahmidam va Sepasgozaram. Amma mikhastam bedonam in emkan hast ke vaghti hameye sarzaminhaei ke az did tarikhi az anne Ashkanian bod ro dar bazi gereftim ,Pas az in onvane "Shahrdâr" be "Shâhanshâh" tagheir kone?


You need to alt-switch your weapon. After you charge with your lance, double-rightclick again, but this time do this while holding down the alt-key. Will try it.

the mod does not extend this far into the time-frame, I'm afraidYou don't want to add such a cool units just becasue "It doesn't meet the time frame":gah: AFAIK the mod time limit is at about 30-50 AD ,right? so it's long enough ,Who would continue his game till this time or even more (Till the Ashkanian decline)? I don't understand why you are so loyal to the historical accuracy? the game is combination of fun ,balance and historical facts as well.Imo "Camel Cataphract" is well deserved addition to the Pahlava unit roster ,Don't miss it !

I'm still interested in changing Pahlava names to their current Parsi ones.Or at least add the important-Forggoten names (King of King's names) like "Orodes" ,"Artabanus" ,"Tiridates" ,"Vologases" and etc.I think this is important ,especially for EB team that is so sensitive on historical accuracy~;)

Also is it possible to add "Iran Spahbad" as an ancillary?(If there's no problem with the time frame~;) )

Thanks in advance
-Kambiz

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

:dizzy2:

[The Persian Cataphract]

Dorûd Ê-Jahân, Cambyses,


Bale fahmidam va Sepasgozaram. Amma mikhastam bedonam in emkan hast ke vaghti hameye sarzaminhaei ke az did tarikhi az anne Ashkanian bod ro dar bazi gereftim ,Pas az in onvane "Shahrdâr" be "Shâhanshâh" tagheir kone?

Bebakhshid vali mutvadje nashudam, shumâ digê fahmidî kê ê "Shahrdâr" ê Shâh ke ê chantâ shahr dâre?

The Shahrdâr is literally "an owner of cities" in which he governs like a king. The Shahrdâr does not own all cities.

Also, as we speak, I am planning for some new suggestions to the faction goals, so that it is more consistent with the ideals of what a Shahrdâr is (A Shâh) and what a Shâhanshâh is.


You don't want to add such a cool units just becasue "It doesn't meet the time frame" AFAIK the mod time limit is at about 30-50 AD ,right? so it's long enough ,Who would continue his game till this time or even more (Till the Ashkanian decline)? I don't understand why you are so loyal to the historical accuracy? the game is combination of fun ,balance and historical facts as well.Imo "Camel Cataphract" is well deserved addition to the Pahlava unit roster ,Don't miss it !

Again, it seems that I must clarify myself :juggle2:

The cataphracted camel was an invention to bring the strong, Arabian dromedary into becoming another flavour of the successful cataphract concept. The problem however is that historically, the city of Hatra was the only major herding point for breeding the dromedary, and this is an important aspect of realism, because we can't use the Bactrian camel, no matter about how much stronger and larger it is than the Arabian dromedary, because it is much slower. Another problem is that the city of Hatra proper was founded the year 70 CE, and even then it takes another century until we see the first account of the Hatrene clibanarius, let alone the concept of giving a "zen-ûstar" (Camel's armour) to a camel, which appears either in the accounts of Trajan besieging the city or the defeat of Macrinus.

Also, analyzing the structure of the Parthian military and why camels specifically used these creatures in the far rear hints at the explanation that most Parthian mounts were untrained to the presence of the camels, and therefore that sometimes the use of camels would have been ineffective. I'm not trying to make up any excuses, because I would myself like to see such a unit to be featured in the game, I'm just saying that there is reason to why the EB team has scrapped the use of camelry for now.


I'm still interested in changing Pahlava names to their current Parsi ones.Or at least add the important-Forggoten names (King of King's names) like "Orodes" ,"Artabanus" ,"Tiridates" ,"Vologases" and etc.I think this is important ,especially for EB team that is so sensitive on historical accuracy

And like I told you before, don't worry about the names ~;p


Also is it possible to add "Iran Spahbad" as an ancillary?(If there's no problem with the time frame )

Nice pun :2thumbsup:

The social structure among nobility and the council of the Dahae confederacy means that matters of defence and military becomes an issue within the clans. I would therefore say that the Parthian court would therefore rely on their nobility to provide their own marzbâns, or frontier marshals. It would not be entirely inaccurate to consider this suggestion, but it is not exactly accurate either. Let us take Rustam of Sûrên Pahlav, the victor of Carrhae, he is often designated "Êrânshahr Sepahbôd", right? The problem is that he had brought his own private army, consisting of Yuezhi and Sakae horse archers and his own household cavalry bodyguard of 1,000 men to do the fighting. This would naturally lead us to this conclusion: What was Surena minister of military over when there is no standing army? To be a minister of the military while making use of his own bandegân (Bondsmen) and his companions makes no sense, friend. The title of Êrânshahr Spâhbâd is very Sassanian, and until the marzbân reforms of Chosroës I, the seat of the military minister was decided by the magnates (Vuzurgân). Also, as an ancillary one may consider Êrânshahr Spâhbâd, but this I will need to confer with my colleagues. :book:

[kambiz]

Thanks a milion for the fine replies "The Persian Cataphract":bow: I wish you and EB team good luck~:)

With my best regards (Ba behtarin dorood'ha)
-Kambiz

[Grand Lord of Poop~]

i think our beloved friend here, PC, deserves a round of applause for his hard work and dedication to the Pahlava cause. for if it was without him, there wouldn't be us pig-snotting, eyes-bulging, ever-so-nosy pahlava fans...

balloons for you, my friend.:yes: :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2: :balloon2:

and cheers too :medievalcheers:

[Kull]

.....us pig-snotting, eyes-bulging, ever-so-nosy pahlava fans.....

FWIW, I've been playing a very long Pahlava game using a recent internal version, and it has been one of the most white knuckle, gripping EB campaigns ever. Just an awesome good time. Here's a few of the more unusual sights from this "god-I-just-have-to-play-one-more-turn" game:

1) During the Siege of Alexandreia Ariana, there's a Plague outbreak:

https://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2188/plagueineb3lt.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

2) A flash flood occurs in the desert near Apameia. The garrison experiences no casualties, but my field army on the left loses 10% of it's troops:

https://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9797/pahlavaflashflood7rh.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

3) In the reddish-tan foothills just northeast of Hekatompylos, the Parthians trapped a band of Seleukid raiders. Ho hum, right? But when we go to the battlemap, my army is arrayed at the edge of a precipice leading down into....what?

https://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2600/pahlavabattlemapsunkent7mu.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

[kambiz]

Hello EB team;
Is there any chances we have Persian(Parsi) voices for the Pontus and Pahlava units in the final release???

[The Persian Cataphract]

Hello EB team;
Is there any chances we have Persian(Parsi) voices for the Pontus and Pahlava units in the final release???

Dear Cambyses,

Do you celebrate Christmas? I hear it is a time of miracles ~;p

[HumphreysCraig00]

Hey Kull are you allowd to say what that giant hole in the floor is or not as it looks interesting.

Plus you missed the c00 from it.:laugh4:

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Kull found the secret tomb of the lost Templars and the Umbilicus Mundi! :grin:

Never seen that before mate. Looks pretty cool though. I can't wait till we can get those parthia changes started now though.

[Kull]

Hey Kull are you allowd to say what that giant hole in the floor is or not as it looks interesting.

I have NO IDEA what that thing is! It was a complete and total shock to find it there on the battlemap. I tried to set a unit down inside, as it looks like there are passageways and chambers leading off to who knows where, but it's all treated as impassable terrain. Too bad, as it would have been awesome to force the enemy up to the edge and push them in during battle!

As to the location, take a look at my second screenshot, the one with the flood. If you look to the mountains just north and east of Hekatompylos, the battle which revealed the Secret Chamber occurred on the slopes near that first orange foothill. Not sure of the exact coordinates, but it was right around there.

[kambiz]

Do you celebrate Christmas? I hear it is a time of miracles
Excuse me but I don't understand ,Ofcourse we don't celebrate XMas and I'm sure you know it well so ,What do you mean?

[Krusader]

Excuse me but I don't understand ,Ofcourse we don't celebrate XMas and I'm sure you know it well so ,What do you mean?

If there is one thing Hollywood has taught us, it's that miracles happen with greater frequency during Christmas.

In other words...
As of now we just need someone to record all those commands Persian Cataphract has written.

And regarding Pontos, they will be using Greek, although their eastern units will of course respond in Iranian.

[The Persian Cataphract]

Excuse me but I don't understand ,Ofcourse we don't celebrate XMas and I'm sure you know it well so ,What do you mean?

Too bad. Perhaps Hâjî Fîrûz may be able to bring this miracle then :listen:

Hint: If there was nothing planned for the Pahlavâ I could have said "no". So as with the case of the Parthian authentic names, I repeat: Don't worry. Negarân nabâshid, dâdâsh. Eine mesle Nôrûz mâ dige nimitûnim begim barâye shumâ che kâr kardîm, vali mesle har Nôrûz mâ dige yê chîzî dârim. Negarân nabâshid, mâ yek nakshe dârim :laugh4:

Oh and when you celebrate, make your wish in Pahlavî. Who knows, maybe it will become a reality ~;)

Except Krusader already gave it away... :shame:

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Hey, I found one too:
https://img69.imageshack.us/img69/9149/maabeta20zc4.jpg
It was in a completely different area. I think it's some sort of random Egyptian leftover from vanilla since the eastern greeks are just the { egyptian, } culture. Like the random stone circles in areas with barbarian culture.

[Teleklos Archelaou]

Excellent point Marcus. That's gotta be it. :2thumbsup:

[kambiz]

@The Persian Cataphract
Ba dorood;
Aya te be hal dar bareye "Jang juyane zan'e Hakhamaneshi" chizi shenidi? Pishnahad mikonam forum'e RoP ro check koni ;-)

[FliegerAD]

It is indeed nice to see that Parthia gets such a well treatment. :yes:

I hope you don't mind one or two notes from a numismatic point of view. The first is about the "King of Kings"-title.
It is a fascinating fact, that Parthians Great Kings never called themselves "šahan šah", but always "Basileus Megas", the Greek equivalent taken from the Seleukids. We can see that on the legends of the Parthian mintage. The palahvi title "šah eran" was added later (Mithridates IV.), but the Great King title always remained Greek, even though heavily blundered towards the end of the Arsakid dynasty.

Ardašir was the first Iranian ruler calling himself "šahan šah eran" in his Typ II coins and subsequent coins, stating a clear message of renewed ("pure") Iranian power.
Therefore I would not use "šahan šah" but "Basileus Megas" for the Arsakids, especially in EB timeframe.

The second point is related to that. The Parthian rulers were "Philhellen", officially and in reality, at least for some time. Still Orodes II. enjoyed Greek theater, if one believes Plutarchos. Parthian coins only use Greek names, until late in the 1st cent.AD. The Greek names were always more prominent anyway.
Therefore it's worth considering to use the Greek names for their rulers. (There is a similar phenomen in German history in the 18th cent., when the German nobles preferred speaking French rather than German)

Literature on the numismatics:

Alram, M./Gyselen, R.: Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum, vol. 1, Ardashir I. - Shapur I., Paris/Berlin/Vienna 2003 (excellent series, btw!)
Alram, M.: Nomina Propria Iranica in Nummis, Vienna 1986
Alram, M.: Stand und Aufgaben der arsakidischen Numismatik, in: Wiesehöfer, J. (Ed.): Das Partherreich und seine Zeugnisse, Stuttgart 1998, pp.365-387
Shore, F.: Parthian Coins and History, Quarryville 1993

regards and keep up the great work!

[keravnos]

Parthia should never get anything less, if you ask me.

One thing that has always fascinated me about Pahlavi/Sakae is the following...

When they conquered former greek territories, they didn't go to a massacring spree killing off everyone who moved. Instead they allowed their Greek subjects to carry off with their own ways. Many opted to become Pahlava or Saka, yet those who didn't were left largely alone. There were greek communities in present day afghanistan/ (former Baktria) until the Arab conquest, and coins there carried greek letters until 800 CE. There were also many greeks living in the Babylon area and other Pahlavi domains. Those were mostly left alone/unharmed.

Of course there were problems, many greeks/hellenized easteners were slaughtered and it is also the mere fact of practicality, they were left to live because of the work they could/did produce. Still, if we compare to later day conquerors, Pahlavi/Sakae behaviou is nothing short of benevolent.

In fact right before conquering Seleukeia, the Pahlavi stopped in the opposing side, building Ctesiphon, just so as not to let loose the troops to Seleukeia and avoiding the pillage/rape/carnage that would ensue. How many times this has happened in history? Respecting your enemies' capital? Alexander certainly didn't in Persepolis. In fact the name "Philellen" you quote Flieger seems to be the most appropriate characteristic therof.

Don't know... It must be the common IndoEuropean heritage both peoples share... :yes:

[The Persian Cataphract]

Welcome to EB, Flieger :bow:

Regarding the Greek language in the Parthian empire, it appeared to be the most practical, even though Iranian languages were known locally. At the time, being lingua franca it seems that the entire "Philhellen"/"Philhellenos" ordeal was purely political to acquire local support (Seeing as that both Persians and Elymaeans did not wish to see a Parthian sovereign toppling the throne during right prior to Demetrios' campaign against Mithradates I) as well as practical. Greek remained to be used as the language within the administration. The whole "King of Kings" thing has origins from the mints of Mithradates II The Great, In which the Sellwood 28.6 type carries the inscription of BASILEWS / BASILEWN / MEGALOU / ARSAKOU EPIFANOUS (Bah, stupid copy-paste... Go here http://www.parthia.com/mithradates2.htm), which it is the first time we also see a Parthian ruler call himself "God incarnate". The transition you speak of occurs fittingly when the Greek language was in decline, while Aramaic was steadily becoming more popular (So popular that the Parthians adopted the alphabet for their Pahlavî). But all that you already know :2thumbsup:

So, luckily for our case, we get to pick and choose, and for such a disastrously poorly documented nation such as the Parthians, that flexibility is worth gold. We can fortunately choose between Pahlavî, Greek and/or Aramaic. So in our case while the Parthians never wrote as you say the "Shâhan/Shâhigân Shâh Êrânshahr/Êrânagâ, they did indeed adopt the various Greek designations, it is correct that there was a transition coming with the continously more popular Aramaic alphabet. The Parthians had a keen interest in the foreign markets and this is mostly facilitated by the fragments of Isidore's (Of Charax) "Parthian Stations", a work dedicated to the karwanserai, dedicated constructions meant to specifically attract merchants to do trade with the Parthians.

Regarding the Philhellene aspect, it was mainly political (Though very much so also applied in reality, indeed) as well as practical. The Pârnî did not have too many friends at all, and would need as much support as possible. The development of this nation of semi-nomadic roots is quite remarkable, for they assimilated the best aspects of Greek culture but perhaps outperformed the Achaemenids and most definitely the Sassanids when it came to tolerance. Over time the mere tent-city on the other side of the bank, Ctesiphon would come to absorb Seleucia, joining into one. Perhaps the greatest city of the known world :yes:

An interesting pointer to Parthian benevolence is that when Mithradates captured Demetrios, keeping him captive, Mithradates had apparently grown so fond of Demetrios that he offered his daughter, Rhogodune, for marriage. It is an interesting echelon to the other famed capturing in pre-Islamic Iranian history; Shapur capturing Valerian.

In my opinion, it was the Parthians, not the Alexander, who proved that the bitter rivalry between Iranians and Greeks could be set aside. Well, nice idea, except Parthia had a lot to pay for it. It's irony at her finest :clown:

I hope you'll enjoy your stay!