Ancient Persia, Parthian Empire, Orodes II, AR Drachm

The Parthian Empire, also known as the Arsacid Empire, was founded by Arsaces I in the mid-third century BC. Under Mithridates I (circa 171-138 BC), it expanded into a major power stretching across Iran and Mesopotamia. The Empire endured until 224 AD, when the last Arsacid King was defeated by Ardashir I, founder of the Sasanian Empire.

The Parthian Empire was located on the Silk Road trade route between the Roman Empire and the Empire of China and became a centre of trade and commerce. Native Parthian sources, written in Parthian, Greek and other languages are scarce. Apart from some cuneiform tablets, rock inscriptions, drachm coins and some parchment documents, much of Parthian history is only known through external sources. Trade developed greatly under the Parthians and many of their coins and art objects have been found as far afield as the Volga region, the Caucasus and other sites in south Russia as well as in Chinese Turkestan.

It was generally believed that the Parthians only had the means and resources to start minting coins from the 2nd century BC. Since the discovery of the hoard at Seleucia in 1968 it is now accepted that coins were already minted by Arsaces I, and that during the reign of Mithradates I (171-138 BC) the first tetradrachms were struck. Parthians and Sasanians refined silver to mint coins and to make luxury items and decorations.