Parthian Warfare Under the Early Arsacids 1

This chapter covers the rule of the Early Arsacids, roughly corresponding to the Hellenistic period. While scrutinizing Parthian warfare of that age, some developments will be discussed that belong to the reign of the so‐called Later Arsacid dynasty. The Arsacids created a state with a significant number of fighting men to draw upon, and with a strong, efficient army. Horse riding epitomized the Parthians and their cavalrymen used a set of weapons that was a novelty in Iranian warfare. The Parthian bow distinguished itself by the efficiency due to its reinforced construction. The heavy armor of the cataphracts is depicted on Indo‐Sacan coins of the first century BCE. It consists of four main elements: a corselet with a high collar, armguards, thigh‐guards, and a helmet. Military helmets of Parthian cataphracts were made of metal and were usually low, oval or semi‐spherical in shape.