Greek in the Parthian Empire: linguistic evidence from Arsacid coinage

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the Greek language in the Parthian Empire by examining the evidences from the development of the Parthian coin tradition. As it is well known, the considerable significance of Greek-Parthian linguistic interaction was determined by various circumstances such as the official character of Greek in the public/administrative use, the Hellenization of the local elites, the presence of Greek ethnic groups living in the empire. Certain aspects of the Greek linguistic interaction have been, to some extent, investigated, but there has been no systematic analysis of the issue. Therefore, in order to highlight the development of linguistic and socio-cultural dynamics of the Greek language in the Parthian empire, a general survey of its main features and phases is necessary. In this regard, we will analyze the linguistic clues emerging from the coinage (Sylloge Nummorum Parthicorum) that can be considered the most important primary source for the history of Iran from the 3rd century BC until the end of Parthian rule in AD 224. They not only provide information about the succession of rulers but also can represent the first attempt to produce a timeline of the Greek usage in the coin legends.