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After the death of Alexander the Great, his
expansive empire was divided among three of his
most loyal generals, with Seleucis assuming
control of the eastern portion. The Seleucid
Dynasty was thereby established, following in
the footsteps of the Persian, Assyrian, and
Babylonian Empires, with its capitals at Antioch
(in modern Syria) and Seleucia (in modern Iraq).
However, as history has shown, maintaining calm
and order over such a large territory,
encompassing so many different cultures, proved
difficult if not impossible. In 245 B.C., the
Parthians revolted against the Seleucids under
the leadership of Satrap Andragoras, igniting a
civil war that would lead to further autonomy,
despite the continued recognition of the Greek
kings as their superiors. Although the Parthians
had been mentioned in Assyrian text as early as
the 7th Century B.C., it was not until the rise of
Mithradates I that the yoke of Seleucid control
was tossed aside and Parthia reached the heights
of its glory. Mithradates the Great quickly
conquered the lands of Babylon, Media, and
Elam, establishing a great empire that would
rival Roman dominance and last until 224 A.D.
when the Sassanid Empire finally subjugated
their lands.
Parthian ceramics fall into the transitional phase
between the ancient and the Islamic period. They
combined ancient techniques with new
procedures to produce very fine and delicate
works. Twin handles rise from the shoulder of
the vessel to the neck, allowing the vessel to be
safely and comfortably transported. The
handsome turquoise-glaze still shines with its
original luminosity, enhanced by the presence of
decorative motifs engraved along the neck and
shoulders of the work. Considering the size of
the piece, this vase most likely originally
contained wine, water, or some other such liquid.
This stunning vase reminds us of the glories of
the Parthian Empire while simultaneously
heralding certain aesthetic devices and ceramic
techniques that would be further elaborated
upon during the Islamic era.
- (X.0474)
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