Old Nisa

LEGENDARY AND MYSTERIUOS CITY IN THE KINGDOM OF PARTHIA

In the IV century BC Akhemenid Empire had been ruined with the strikes of Alexander’s troops. During the period of the Selevkids-the successors of Alexander, three independent States established: Bactria, Khorezm and Parthia. Among these three states Parthia had lived for a long time, from 3rd century BC till 3rd century AD. During its existence Parthia has had several capital cities. Among the capitals of Parthia Nisa was a legendary and mysterious city in the Kingdom of Parthia.

It was an impregnable fortress for the armies of antiquity and behind its wall the Parthian Kings could feel themselves totally secure-whether under attack by enemies or during revolts by their own subjects. 43 square-shaped powerful towers reinforced its mighty walls. The gates to the fortress were located deep inside one of these towers, and if they were stormed they could be turned into a trap for the enemy.

A spacious building stood in the northern part of Nisa. It is thought that this was a sanctuary, which contained the relics of a cult of the dead. Iron armour, large shields, arrows, magnificent remains of the ivory, royal throne decorated with gold embroidered cloth, wine glasses, flacons, tea bowls and clay amphoras have been found there. The horn-shaped vessels are chiseled from elephant tasks into the shape of a large horn and are decorated with carvings of mythical figures: a centaur, a griffin, a winged man-bull, and others. A raised frieze decorates the upper part of the horn. It depicts Greek divinities-Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Hera, and various bacchanalia scenes.