Page:Political History of Parthia.pdf/34

xxxii writer has little to add beyond the general estimate of classical scholars.

There were in existence in antiquity various histories of Parthia, some written by men of unquestioned ability. The Parthian histories of Arrian and of Apollodorus of Artemita would have answered many questions, and those of Asinius Quadratus and Quintus Dellius might have been nearly as useful. According to the estimate of Lucian, the work of Crepereius Calpurnianus of Pompeiopolis would have been of little value. Fragments of Quadratus and Arrian exist, the latter of particular value in the campaign of Trajan provided we can place them in the narrative.

The bulk of the inscriptional evidence pertains to Roman military affairs, but exceptions are note­ worthy. There are two Parthian inscriptions in Greek on the Parthian reliefs at Behistun. From Susa in Iran come various important inscriptions, especially a letter of Artabanus III to the city. Dura-Europus on the Euphrates has provided a valuable series, particularly graffiti, though many of the latter relate to the military. The last-named site has also fur­ nished an amazing series of parchments, of primary importance for the cultural history of the area.

The question of the value of the Armenian sources for Parthian history is a perplexing one. There is much information not known from other sources in such writers as Moses of Chorene, but many of the