Arche Seleukeia - A Guide by/with Hax

[Titus Marcellus Scato]

A small useful thing I've discovered in my seleucid campaign (pretty consistent since it happened 3 times out of 3):

If you engage thde Parthian army outside Asaak in turn 1, they won't go for Asaak on their turn(even if it's almost devoid of troops, once even had it as low as 20/160 spearmen and 40/160 archers on huge after the battle)

The Parthians did beseige Asaak in my campaign, after I attacked them, but I only tried it the once.

However, your test seems to prove that the Parthians attack Asaak in order to get a war with you - not because they particularly want Asaak itself! (So it's political motivation, not strategic.) Once at war, they're happy, and will go after any town that happens to take their fancy. Bastards...