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Near Eastern Art :
Parthian Art : Parthian Glazed Terracotta Jug
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Parthian Glazed Terracotta Jug - LO.500
Origin: Central Asia
Circa: 2
nd
Century AD
to 3
rd
Century AD
Dimensions:
9" (22.9cm) high
Collection: Near Eastern
Medium: Glazed Terracotta
£6,800.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
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 toss 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.
- (LO.500)
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