Elymais

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Elymais
Vassal of Parthia
147 BC–224 AD
Approximate extent of Elymais in 51 BC.
Capital Susa
Government Monarchy
King
 •  ca. 147 BC Kamnaskires I Soter
 •  224 AD Orodes VI
Historical era Classical antiquity
 •  Established 147 BC
 •  Disestablished 224 AD
Succeeded by
Sassanid Empire

Elymais or Elamais (Ἐλυμαΐς, Graecized form of the more ancient name, Elam) was a semi-independent state of the 2nd century BC to the early 3rd century AD, frequently a vassalary under Parthian control, and located at the head of the Persian Gulf in the present-day region of Khuzestan, Iran (Susiana).[1] It is reported that these people were great archers and natives of Susa, which lies to the east of Elymais territory. Most of the Elymais were probably descendants of the ancient Elamites,[1]who once had control of that area in the past. The provinces of Elymais were Massabatice (later Masabadhan), Corbiane and Gabiane.

Nothing is known of their language, even though "Elamite" was still used by the Achaemenid Empire 250 years before the Elymais came into existence.[2] A number of Aramaic inscriptions are found in Elymais.[3] The kingdom of Elymais survived until its extinction by Sassanid invasion in early 3rd century AD.

It is also reported in 2 Maccabees that the priests of the temple of Nanea, which is located in Susa, tricked Antiochus IV Epiphanes and murdered him by throwing rocks on him and dismembering him (2Macc 1:10–17).

Coinage

Coin of the Kamnaskires III., king of the Elymais and his wife Anzaze

The coins depicted a king; it isn't known whether this was a Parthian king or a local ruler as such information hasn't come to light through any means. But these coins were based on Greek standards, of debased Drachms and Tetradrachms. The royal picture is generally based on "Parthian" coinage, usually with an anchor with star in crescent figure. The reverse has a figure or bust of Artemis with text around it, an eagle, or often only elongated dots (this has led numismatists to believe that the engravers didn't know Greek or copied from coins whose writing was already unintelligible).[4]

Kings of Elymais

List of rulers[5]

  1. Kamnaskires I Megas Soter (c. 147- c.145 BC)
  2. Kamnaskires II Nikephoros (c 145- C. 139 BC)
  3. Okkonapses (c. 139/8 BC)
  4. Tigraios (c. 138/7- c. 133/2 bc)
  5. Darius (before c. 129 BC)
  6. Kamnaskires III Megas Nikephorus (c. 85 BC)
  7. Kamnaskires IV (c. 82/1- c. 76/5 BC) with Anzaze (his Queen)
  8. Kamnaskires V[6] (c. 73/2- c. 46 BC)
  9. Kamnaskires VI[7] (c. 46- c. 28 BC)
  10. Kamnaskires VII[8] (c. 28 BC- c. 1 AD)
  11. Kamnaskires VIII[9] (c. 1- c. 15 AD)
  12. Kamnaskires IX[10] (c. 15- c. 25 AD)
  13. Orodes I (c. 25- c. 50 AD)
  14. Orodes II (c. 50- c. 70 AD) son of Orodes I
  15. Phraates[11] (c. 70- c. 90 AD) son of Orodes (I or II)
  16. Orodes III[12] (c. 90- c. 100 AD) son of Orodes II
  17. Kamnaskires-Orodes[13] (c. 100- c. 120 AD) son of Orodes II
  18. Ariobarzanes (c. 125 AD)
  19. Osroes (c. 125-c. 130 AD)
  20. Unknown King I (c. 130- c. 140 AD)
  21. Orodes IV[14] & Ulpan (c. 140- c. 160 AD)
  22. Abarbasi[15] (c. 160- c. 170 AD)
  23. Orodes V[16] (c. 170- c. 180 AD) son of Beldusa
  24. Vologases[17] (c. 180- c. 190 AD)
  25. Unknown King II[18] (c. 190- c. 210 AD)
  26. Unknown King III[19] (c. 210- c. 220 AD)
  27. Orodes VI[20] (c. 220- 224 AD)

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ G. Cameron Persepolis Treasury Tablets (1948), and R. Hallock, Persepolis Fortification Tablets (1969). See also Persepolis Fortification Archive.
  3. ↑ Gzella, H. (2008) Aramaic in the Parthian Period: The Arsacid Inscriptions. In Gzella, H. & Folmer, M.L. (Eds.) Aramaic in its Historical and Linguistic Setting. Wiesbaden. P. 107-130
  4. ↑ Coins of Elymais
  5. ↑ Wiesehöfer, 1996, p. 318. Pakzadian, 2007, pp. 56-57 & VII-X.
  6. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Kamnaskires V, VI, VII, VIII and IX.
  7. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Kamnaskires X and XI.
  8. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Kamnaskires XII and XIII.
  9. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Kamnaskires XIV and XV.
  10. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Late Kamnaskires Successors types 1, 2 and 3.
  11. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Phraates I, II and III.
  12. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Orodes III and IV.
  13. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Kamnaskires-Orodes I and II.
  14. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Orodes V, VI and VII.
  15. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: 1st Unknown King (A)
  16. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Unknown Kings 2nd(B), 3rd(C) and 4th(D)
  17. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Vologases I and II.
  18. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Unknown Kings 5th(E), 6th(F) and 7th(G)
  19. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: Unknown Kings 8th(H) and 9th(I)
  20. ↑ According to Pakzadian, 2007: 10th Unknown King (J)

Bibliography

  • Pakzadian, Hasan. "The Coins of Elymais", Tehran, 2007. (in Persian)
  • The Cambridge History of Iran (CHI), vol. 3(I), THE SELEUCID, PARTHIAN AND SASANIAN PERIODS, Cambridge University Press, 1983.
  • The Cambridge History of Iran (CHI), vol. 3(II), THE SELEUCID, PARTHIAN AND SASANIAN PERIODS, Cambridge University Press, 1983.
  • Wiesehöfer, Josef, "ANCIENT PERSIA from 550 BC to 650 AD", tr. by Azizeh Azodi, I.B.Tauris Publishers, London, 1996.
  • www.parthia.com

External links

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