The student of Iranian history may well question the necessity for this detailed treatment of the numismatics of the smaller states existing in the shadow of the Arsacid empire. For Parthia itself, although we have numerous enough references in the Greek and Roman authors, yet the coins are of great help in establishing the broad outline of political events. When we turn to the minor dynasties of Persis, Elymais and Characene, other sources fail us almost completely and we have to rely on the relevant coinage not only for the very names of the kings, but even for epigraphical data and evidence of artistic trends. Indeed, attempts to reconcile the unquestionable facts presented by the coins with the fragmentary and often dubious testimony from elsewhere usually raise more problems than they solve.

PERSIS

Of the three kingdoms mentioned above, Persis, the modern province of Fās, was the least accessible geographically to invasion from either Mesopatamia or northern Iran. It had once been the cradle of the Achaemenian race and the imperial traditions were never forgotten even after the shock of Alexander's occupation. A few tetradrachms and drachms were struck at Persepolis by Seleucus I, but Hellenistic supremacy, which can never have extended far beyond the main lines of communication, soon lapsed in the area. The advantages of a standard currency as opposed to bullion were obvious enough, though and so local rulers continued to maintain a mint when the Greeks were gone.