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Document Details : Title: The Origin and the Development of Military Architecture in the Province of Parthava in the Arsacid Period Author(s): JAKUBIAK, K. Journal: Iranica Antiqua Volume: 41 Date: 2006 Pages: 127-150 DOI: 10.2143/IA.41.0.2004764 Abstract : It is remarkable how two traditions — Achaemenid and Greek — converged in the area of Parthia and influenced the development of fortified construction. In the attempt to find visible traces of the influence of Greek tradition on the development of Parthian military architecture we are faced with the following question: did such a short period of Greek rule over later Parthia, affected minds of people enough to alter their architectural ways and methods. We know very well from history that in Central Asia the army of Alexander the Great underwent severe hardships while struggling to win with Persians e.g. the siege of Artacoana, and the battle against the army of Bessus were very dramatic episodes. In addition, the siege of Oxyartes, a mountain fortress in Sogdiana clearly shows that the tradition of fortifying cities and erecting strongholds was very old in that part of Persia. Besides the war activities, Alexander also contributed to founding many fortified cities mainly named Alexandria with additional elements as for example: Eschata, in Arachosia, Oxiana, etc. |
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