Nisa, Turkmenistan


Nisa was an ancient settlement of the Parthians, located near the of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 18 km west of the city center. Nisa is described by some as the first seat of the Arsacid Empire. It is traditionally assumed to have been founded by Arsaces I and was reputedly the royal residence of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum.
In 2007, the fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

History

Nisa was a major trading hub in the Parthian Empire. It was later renamed Mithradātkert by Mithridates I of Parthia. The region was famous for the beauty, agility and strength of its horses.
Nisa was totally destroyed by an earthquake during the 1st decade BC.

Excavations

Excavations at Nisa have revealed substantial buildings, mausoleums and shrines, many inscribed documents, and a looted treasury. Many Hellenistic art works have been uncovered, as well as a large number of ivory rhytons, and rims decorated with Iranian subjects or classical mythological scenes.