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Document Details :

Title: The Location of the Partian City of Bagistana in Bisotun, Kermanshah
Subtitle: A Proposal
Author(s): ALIBAIGI, Sajjad , NIKNAMI, Kamal-Aldin , KHOSRAVI, Shokouh
Journal: Iranica Antiqua
Volume: 47    Date: 2012   
Pages: 117-131
DOI: 10.2143/IA.47.0.2141963

Abstract :
Iranian, Chinese, Arabic and western literature provides valuable source material about the prevalent situation of Iran in the Parthian era. Many accounts of political and historical events are written with partiality, but compared with these texts, geographical literature is more reliable. One significant and valuable source for this period is 'Parthian Stations' by Isidore of Charax, written early in the first century AD. In this book, Isidore mentions numerous cities, villages, and habitations that he saw during a long journey to the eastern parts of the Parthian territory, and has contributed much to our limited knowledge of Parthian geography. While describing Parthian habitations in the land of Medes, he mentions the city of Bagistana and reports its topographical location. Considering the archaeological and historical evidence, a recently investigated Parthian site in Bisotun appears to be the most appropriate site to identify with this city. In this paper we review the historical evidence and evaluate the archaeological findings.

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