Parthia Pendant

This distinctive pendant recalls the shape of an ancient amphora or storage and shipping container, complete with ornamental volute "handles" at the sides. The design is inspired by an ancient Parthian earring dating to the first or second century AD. "Parthia" was a region located more or less in the area of northeastern Iran and parts of Turkmenistan, today. Parthia's history is vast and complex, for it was at times a fierce and strong empire of its own (247 BC - AD 224) with lands reaching Armenia and Babylonia to Batria at its greatest extent in 94 BC, and at times a part of the Hellenistic and Roman empires. Its relationship with Rome was, in fact, quite complicated, as Parthia never sat quietly as a harmonious part of the empire. The so-called "Roman-Parthian Wars" lasted from 54 BC until AD 217, with no clear result. Parthia ultimately fell in AD 224 to the Sassanids, the last Persian imperial dynasty. Our pendant arrives with a 22" brown leather necklace cord at no extra cost; an accompanying silver or gold chain necklace may also be purchased, here.