Letter from Ardawan (Artabanus) III of Parthia to the city of Susa, a document of the interaction and administration of Greek-populated cities during the Parthian period

Document Type : original research article

Author
hassan esmaeili
Department of History, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Payame Noor University Tehran Iran
10.22034/is.2026.2096296.1106
Abstract
One of the most important documents left from the Parthian rule in the city of Susa is the letter of Artabanus III, which is engraved on marble. This inscription formed the basis of a large marble statue called Hastiaius, which his father Asius built in 25 and 26 AD in memory of his election as treasurer and chairman of the Judiciary of the city of Susa with the approval of Ardavan III. Susa, was one of the cities that were considered since the time of Alexander, and during the Seleucid period Greeks and Macedonians settled in this city, and this city was renamed Eulaios Seleucia. Greek culture and civilization remained there for several years. During the Parthian period, although the city was captured by them, Greek culture remained for a long time and Artabanus 's letter in Greek is a proof of this fact. since then the independence of the city and the influence of Greek culture has decreased. The issue of Greek cities in the Parthian realm such as Susa and the different structure of these cities, which was the result of the influence of Hellenistic culture in Iran, as well as the Parthian attitude and relations with this city, is an important issue that is analyzed in this article.
Keywords
Susa
Letter of Artabanus III
Seleucids
Parthians
greeks