Timeline of the Parthians
247 BC: The Parthian Empire is founded by Arsaces I, who revolts against the Seleucid Empire.
(c) Talessman 211-171 BC: Mithridates I, a powerful Parthian ruler, expands the empire significantly, conquering Mesopotamia and Media.
171-132 BC: Mithridates I continues to consolidate Parthian power, defeating the Seleucids and establishing control over much of the Middle East.
132-92 BC: The Parthian Empire faces internal struggles and external threats, leading to a period of instability.
92-87 BC: Mithridates II, another strong Parthian ruler, regains control of the empire and expands its territory.
(c) Ro4444 58 BC: Ctesiphon becomes Parthian capital during the reign of Orodes II.
53 BC: The Parthians inflict a devastating defeat on the Roman army at Carrhae, capturing Crassus, one of Rome’s most powerful generals.
40 BC: The Romans under Ventidius invade Parthian territory and defeat the Parthian army.
36 BC: Mark Anthony, a Roman general, invades Parthia but takes heavy losses and withdraws.
20 BC: Roman emperor Augustus negotiates a peace with the Parthians and they hand back Crassus’ lost standards.
20 BC – 9 AD: The Parthians experience a period of relative peace and prosperity.
19 BC: The Arch of Augustus is built in Rome to commemorate his victory over the Parthians.
9-41 AD: The Parthian Empire is embroiled in a series of civil wars, weakening its power.
41-58 AD: The Parthians regain control of their empire and continue to resist Roman influence.
52 AD: Vologases I invades Armenia.
58-63 AD: The Parthians and Romans fought a series of campaigns over who would rule Armenia.
(c) Cplakidas 62-72 AD: The Parthians are involved in conflicts with neighboring powers, including the Kushans and the Sassanids.
72-80 AD: The Parthian Empire is further weakened by internal divisions and external threats.
114-117 AD: Armenia and Mesopotamia are conquered by the Roman emperor Trajan and annexed as Roman provinces.
(c) Tataryn 117 AD: Upon Trajan’s death, Hadrian hands back the provinces to the Parthians.
161 AD: Vologases IV defeats the Romans in Armenia, captures Edessa and ravages Roman Syria.
163-165 AD: Armenia and Mesopotamia are invaded by the Romans and Ctesiphon is sacked.
165 AD: Smallpox sweeps through the Parthian Empire and spreads to the Roman army, who withdraw from the war.
195-198 AD: The Parthians are defeated in a series of campaigns by Roman emperor Septimius Severus and lose part of northern Mesopotamia.
203 AD: The Arch of Septimius Severus is built in Rome’s Forum Romanum to commemorate victories over the Parthians.
c. 211 AD: Ardashir I, king of Persis, revolts against the Parthians and founds the Sassanian Empire.
216-217 AD: The Parthian city of Arbela is sacked by Roman emperor Caracalla. After his assassination, Macrinus, his successor, is defeated at Nisibis and is forced to pay tribute.
224 AD: Ardashir defeats the last Parthian king, Artabanus V, marking the end of the Parthian Empire.
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