Analysis of Armenia's Geopolitical Landscape in the Parthian Period; According to the Archaeological Findings

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 PhD Student of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

4 M.A of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Armenia has attracted the attention of many different nations because of its geopolitical
situation, that's why this country with its strategic location has been epicenter of the wars in
Iran and Rome in the Parthian era. Finally, during of the Sassanid period conflicts had been
ended with dividing of Armenia between the two great powers. Roman army failed repeatedly
in the face of Parthians guerrilla forces in Mesopotamian plains and finally used the natural
geography campaign to Iran. For this purpose, that roman army chose Armenia to march into
Iran, Parthian government built a string of defensive fortifications to confronting with their
intermittent attacks at the entrance of road to the Iranian plateau in north western.
Methodology
In this research, used analytical and descriptive approach based on field and library study, historical
written sources and archaeological data which includes Parthian fortresses of the northwest to the
study of communication and conflicts between powerful nations during the Parthian period.
Results and Discussion
In our survey in Meshkin Shahr we recognized 8 fortresses in this period that built to
defensing of roman and Armenian attack to Iran. It seems that in the beginning of wares in
the Orod one time and failing of roman from Parthian in Horan ware, roman understood that
he did not conquered to Parthian in plains because of the power and mobility of Parthian
cavalry. In the fourth Farhad, roman under the leader ship of Mark Anthony attacked to Iran
from north western and blockade Fraspa (The center of Atropathen). This study also
recognizes the relationship between the two empires mentioned above and consequently has
attended political and military geographical knowledge of Armenia.
Conclusion
The results showed important geopolitical situation of Armenia in the Iranian military and
political relations with neighboring and competitors countries.

Keywords