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Parthia's Silent Partners: The Suren and Karen Clans

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Parthia's Silent Partners: The Suren and Karen Clans

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy power behind the Arsacid throne: the seven great Parthian clans, especially the Suren and the Karen. The Suren clan produced the general Surena, who crushed Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC. The Karen clan held lands in Hyrcania and Media. Together, these noble houses wielded immense influence, often acting as kingmakers. We look at how the Suren family controlled the right to crown the Arsacid king, and how the Karen clan governed vast territories quasi-independently. We also touch on the bitter rivalry between the Suren and Karen that may have contributed to Parthia's internal weakness. Fresh archaeological evidence, including a recently deciphered inscription from Nisa, sheds new light on their land grants and titles. Finally, we consider how these clans survived into the Sasanian era, adapting to new rulers. This episode offers a ground-level view of Parthian politics through its most powerful families. #Parthia #Arsacid #Suren #Karen #Carrhae #Surena #Hyrcania #Media #Nisa #ParthianClans #Kingmaker #ParthianNobility #AncientHistory #MiddleEast #Ctesiphon #SilkRoad #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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