Parthian Subkingdoms

The Parthian empire included a number of subkingdoms ruled by their own native dynasties. These kingdoms were located on the peripheries of the empire and acted as buffers betwen the areas of direct Parthian control and the rest of the world. The general policy of the Arsacids was to maintain direct control over the Parthian homeland and the main trade routes between the East and West, thus ensuring recruits for their army and income from tolls and tariffs. The subkingdoms were allowed to keep their semi-autonomous status in return for loyalty to the Parthian king of kings, military support when requested, and tribute. Needless to say this was not always forthcoming and there were numerous campaigns to ensure the proper subservience of the various subkingdoms, some of which maintained a virtually independent status for fairly long periods, particularly during the numerous civil wars between rival Arsacid claimants to the Parthian throne. Many of the subkingdoms eventually ended up with Arsacid dynasties, most notably Armenia. Several of the kingdoms had their own coinage, independent of the Parthians. Little is known about most of the subkingdoms, and most of what is known is derived from these subsidiary coinages.

The following is an image-map of the Parthian subkingdoms- you can click on the name of the subkingdom to learn more about it and see samples of its coinage.