Research On The Relationship Between The Parthian Empire And The Silk Road

The Parthian period, which served as a connecting link between Achaemenid and Sassanid, was an important historical age of Ancient Iran. From the mid-3rd century BC to the end of220s AD,the history of the Parthians lasted nearly500years. The Parthian Empire, which had a profound impact on the historical development of the ancient world, derived from the Seleucid Kingdom, raised rapidly by virtue of military superiority, and then edged itself into the rank of four ancient Eurasian empires.As one of the important roles in Age of Empires, the Parthian Empire was unique in the following aspect. It was not only the forerunner who introduced Iran elements into post-Hellenistic Iran from the development of Iran’s own history, but also a heritage successor of the Hellenistic World. In the meanwhile, from Parthian Era background, the Parthian history both closely connected to the fate of the Greece-Macedonians in Central and West Asia, and the expansion of the Romans in Asia. Also, from the Eurasia cultural exchange and interaction in this period, the Parthian Empire was one of the earliest nation of establishing diplomatic relations with Han Empire as well as frequent contact with China after which opened up the path to the Western regions. What is more, the empire located in the fort of the Silk Road trade became one of the intermediaries in the economic, trade and cultural communication between Han Empire and Roman Empire.The opening of the Silk Road is the result of the joint efforts by the Orient and the Occident. That Zhang Qian was dispatched on a mission to seek an alliance with the western regions had played an important role in communicating. But in fact he only broke through the eastern section of the whole Silk Road. Before and since, the Parthians had been exploiting the east territory and defensing the invasion of the nomads on the one hand, and on the other hand, pushing steadily forward to the west and seizing the territory of Seleucid Kingdom simultaneously. In the reign of Mithridates II, the whole Western Pamir regions from Amu Darya to Seleucia area was firmly subject to the rule of the Parthian Empire. Along with the establishment of diplomatic relations between Han Dynasty and the Parthian Empire, the Silk Road traversed the Parthian Empire and continued to extent to the Mediterranean World through its central role.Around the Christian era, the trade of Eurasian inland broke through the geographical limitation of the Hellenistic World after the Silk Road opened. Along with the gradually rise of the silk trade, the new pattern of the intermediary for the Parthians and the Kushans, and of the pole for China and Rome had been established. In this pattern, the political relationship changes among different empires directly affected the trend of trade on the Parthians in Silk Road. The monopoly position was constantly consolidated by the Parthians, whose role was concerned in the trade pattern, through making use of geographical advantage, their purpose was not to disrupt the communication but to get trade profits.Therefore, in this period of the silk trade, the Parthians played a role of transit businessmen under monopoly.Cultural communication and the development of silk trade were synchronous. The Parthian Empire grew up in the Hellenistic World, and closely connected with the northwest of India, where the Buddhist art of Gandhara was prevalent.The Hellenistic Culture and Buddhism co-existed in the Parthian Empire at different levels. Through the medium of the Parthians, culture information from Hellenistic world was not only brought to China, but also penetrated into Han Dynasty’s culture and art. Meanwhile, the Buddhism began to spread into China because of its intermediary role, and translation of the Buddhist scripture by An Shigao in Luoyang is a typical example. Hence, the Parthians was not only a carrier of Hellenistic Culture, but also an exporter of Buddhism.In conclusion, whether from the opening of Silk Road, the development of silk trade, or from the cultural communications, the relationship between the Parthians and the Silk Road constituted a multi-level and all-round development of relations actually. Research on this issue can help us to get better knowing on the development of the Parthian history. Further more, it has a vital significance to reestablish the Silk Road and create a new perspective for international cooperation among China, Iran and the countries of Central Asia.