New Books Network Jake Nabel, "The Arsacids of Rome: Misunderstanding in Roman-Parthian Relations" (U California Press, 2025)
Mar 16, 2026
Jake Nabel, Tombros Early Career Professor of Classical Studies at Penn State, rethinks Rome–Parthia ties through Arsacid princes. He contrasts Roman labels of “hostages” with Parthian fosterage, examines transfers after Carhae and under Augustus, and explores Armenian and Sasanian sources. The conversation centers on misunderstanding as a political mechanism and how dynastic culture reshaped interstate relations.
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Parthian Fosterage Created Political Obligations
- Parthians viewed sending royal children as cliental fosterage where the king's children were raised by subordinate elites, creating obligations to the fosterers.
- Nabel argues fosterage (dayag/dayakutyun) created political ties and was a recognized Iranian institution reflected in inscriptions and Armenian sources.
Mutual Misunderstanding Sustained Stability
- The same transfer of royal children produced a pragmatic misunderstanding: each empire interpreted it as proof of their own superiority.
- Nabel calls this strategic self-deception, which stabilized relations by satisfying domestic audiences on both sides.
Arsacid Princes Went To Rome After Equilibrium Not Defeat
- After Rome's recovery under Augustus (c.19 BCE) some Arsacids came to Rome not after crushing defeat but amid negotiated equilibrium following prior Parthian successes.
- Nabel cites returning Roman standards and prisoners as part of Augustus's treaty with Parthia and later Arsacid transfers.
