Parthian mediation of East–West trade routes (3rd century BCE–3rd century CE)

1. Arsaces I begins Parthian rule in Iran

   Jan 1, 247 BCELabels: Arsaces I, Parthia

   • Britannica
   • Parthian Empire

2. Mithridates I expands Parthia into Mesopotamia

   Jan 1, 150 BCELabels: Mithridates I, Mesopotamia

   • Parthian Empire
   • Britannica

3. Zhang Qian’s mission opens Han links westward

   Jan 1, 138 BCELabels: Zhang Qian, Han China

   • UNESCO
   • Britannica

4. Ctesiphon founded near Seleucia on the Tigris

   Jan 1, 129 BCELabels: Ctesiphon, Seleucia

   • Britannica
   • Ctesiphon

5. Mithridates II stabilizes and strengthens Parthian control

   Jan 1, 123 BCELabels: Mithridates II, Parthia

   • Britannica
   • Mithridates II

6. Ctesiphon becomes Parthian capital under Orodes II

   Jan 1, 58 BCELabels: Orodes II, Ctesiphon

   • Ctesiphon
   • World History

7. Parthian victory at Carrhae checks Roman expansion

   Jun 1, 53 BCELabels: Battle of, Parthian army

   • Britannica
   • Carrhae

8. Red Sea sea-lanes grow as alternative trade path

   Jan 1, 50Labels: Red Sea, Periplus

   • Periplus
   • UNESCO

9. Han envoy Gan Ying reaches Parthian frontier of “Western Sea”

   Jan 1, 97Labels: Gan Ying, Han envoy

   • Gan Ying
   • UNESCO

10. Rome captures Ctesiphon during Trajan’s Parthian campaign

    Jan 1, 116Labels: Trajan, Ctesiphon

    • Ctesiphon
    • World History

11. Sack of Ctesiphon intensifies pressure on Parthia

    Jan 1, 197Labels: Septimius Severus, Ctesiphon

    • Ctesiphon
    • World History

12. Ardashir I defeats Artabanus IV, ending Parthia

    Apr 28, 224Labels: Ardashir I, Artabanus IV

    • Hormozdgan
    • Ardashir I